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Alleged Bay Area Child Predator Captured In Alaska

SAM FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- One of the Bay Area's most wanted fugitives -- an alleged child predator -- has been captured in Alaska after spending four years on the run from federal agents, authorities announced Friday.

Kevin Trask -- who was listed as one of Homeland Security's most wanted fugitives -- was captured Tuesday by the Fairbanks International Airport Police.

Authorities said Trask was initially pulled over by Fairbanks officers due to faulty equipment on his vehicle and then provided the police with a false identity.

However, after subsequent investigation revealed the existence of the outstanding felony warrant, Trask admitted his real name and that he was wanted by HSI on child pornography charges.

"This arrest wouldn't have come had it not been for the stellar efforts of the Fairbanks Airport Police Department," said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge for HSI San Francisco. "Their instincts and diligence led to the arrest of an HSI most wanted fugitive and could very well have saved potential young victims from future harm."

Trask is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and preparations are underway to return him to Northern California where he is currently under indictment.

San Francisco HSI special agents began investigating Trask in March 2012 after he allegedly downloaded a video of child pornography though a peer-to-peer (P2P) network using an internet protocol (IP) address that traced back to his San Francisco residence.

On May 1, 2012, HSI executed a federal search warrant at Trask's residence. Within a week of the search, Trask quit his job and relocated to San Diego, advising HSI he was staying with family who resided there.

Trask was indicted in the Northern District of California in November 2012 for possession and distribution of child pornography. The investigation revealed that Trask was involved in the sharing of over 700 images and 10 videos of child exploitation some of which involved sadomasochism and sex acts with toddlers.

On Nov. 30, 2012, HSI special agents in San Diego attempted to locate him at two separate addresses without success. In January 2013, the U.S. Marshals made a second attempt to find Trask in San Diego, but that search was also fruitless.

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