Suspect Antonio Agustin-Ailon, 34, who was arrested last week in connection with the disappearance of Maria Gomez-Perez, 12, of Gainesville, will remain in the custody of authorities in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
While there are no specifics as to what the charges are against Agustin-Ailon, Lee Darragh, District Attorney for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia stated, “After consultation with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and the elected county prosecutor in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, we have determined it best to delay extradition to Hall County.”
The information at this time indicates that most of the serious criminal offenses in this case occurred in Ohio, District Attorney Darrah indicated, according to a press release issued by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Most of the witnesses to prove the Hall County case are in Ohio.
The press release states that “District Attorney Darragh believes it makes sense that the suspect must answer to what charges Ohio proceeds on first. Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch agreed with the DA’s decision.”
Investigators found Agustin-Ailon with the missing girl in Dover, Ohio, and took him into custody on Thursday, July 25.
Gomez-Perez disappeared from her home on May 29. Authorities say Augustin-Ailon traveled to Gainesville and drove her back with him to his home in Ohio after connecting with her online.
“My primary goal in this case is to see justice done. If that means we have to wait for this suspect to have his day in court in Ohio before he faces our charges, so be it. I just want to make sure he has no chance of luring another young girl from home, wreaking havoc on another community as he did ours,” said Sheriff Couch.
The DA’s office indicated it will move forward with filing relevant charges in Hall County, likely through a Grand Jury presentation, as Tuscarawas County proceeds with its case.
Missing Hall County girl Maria Gomez-Perez found safe in another state
