By CHRISTINE LEE Staff Writer 6 hrs ago


EUGENIO MUNOZ-CASTILLO


MADISON - A borough man who falsely reported an armed robbery late last month is residing in the country illegally, according to federal immigration authorities.

Lou Martinez, a spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, confirmed on Friday, Aug. 11, that Madison resident Eugenio Munoz-Castillo, 50, is in the U.S. "unlawfully" and is a "present citizen of Costa Rica," where he is wanted for the alleged rape of a minor.

Further, the International Police Organization (INTERPOL) lists Munoz-Castillo as being wanted by judicial authorities in Costa Rica. Munoz Castillo was born Nov. 15, 1966, and speaks both English and Spanish, according to the listing. INTERPOL is an intergovernmental organization that facilitates international police cooperation.

It is not known how long Munoz-Castillo resided in the U.S. illegally, but both Mayor Robert Conley and Police Chief Darren Dachisen said he lived in Madison for a decade.

The mayor said while he didn’t know Munoz Castillo personally, he added that he was a resident here for 11 years and a “regular in town,” and known to Madison shopkeepers.

False Report

Munoz Castillo was charged by Madison police with fourth-degree filing a false police report on Thursday, July 27, in connection with the alleged robbery he told police occurred in the area of 93 Main St. on Sunday, July 23.

Munoz Castillo reported he was walking west on Main Street, attempting to cut through a covered driveway at 10:40 p.m. Sunday, July 23, adjacent to British Emporium at 91 Main St. when he was approached by two tall, masked men wearing dark clothing.

He told police the two men pointed a gun and ordered him to the ground. Munoz-Castillo further reported he was laying face-down on the ground when the supposed suspects took $800 in cash from his pockets and fled toward Main Street as he remained on the ground, uninjured.

Madison police were able to determine the robbery didn't occur through a thorough investigation, Police Chief Darren Dachisen reported.

While Munoz-Castillo was being processed on the charge of filing a false police report, the rape charge lodged in Costa Rica -- and Munoz-Castillo's status as a fugitive -- was uncovered, according to Dachisen.

Munoz-Castillo was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morris Township on the Madison charge. He was ordered released on his own recognizance by state Superior Court in Morristown on Monday, July 31, and turned over to ICE, Capt. Steven Piatti at the correctional facility said Wednesday, Aug. 9.

ICE spokesman Martinez said Monday that Munoz-Castillo remained in ICE custody, adding "he will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the U.S."

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