LANDOVER — A 45-year-old Riverdale man indicted on multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and other related offenses involving a minor was arrested Thursday by a joint team of Charles County law enforcement officers and federal partners.
Members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Judicial Services Section assigned to the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, along with detectives from the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division, took Jose Mercedes Pineda-Callejas into custody without incident in Landover on May 21.
Pineda-Callejas had been indicted by a Charles County grand jury in late April. An arrest warrant was issued following the indictment on multiple sexual offense charges. The grand jury’s action formally charged him in connection with the alleged crimes against the minor.
The apprehension occurred in Prince George’s County, where Pineda-Callejas was located by the task force. He was transported to the Charles County Detention Center immediately after the arrest. Authorities said he is being held without bond as the case proceeds through the court system.
The joint operation highlights the role of the specialized fugitive task force in locating individuals wanted on serious charges in the region. Cpl. T. Rickard and Detective Nyamekye made the apprehension, according to the sheriff’s office.
No additional details about the specific allegations, the investigation leading to the indictment, or any court dates were released in the announcement. The charges remain allegations at this stage, as Pineda-Callejas has not been tried or convicted.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office released the information about the arrest on May 22. The case originated in Charles County, where the grand jury reviewed evidence and returned the indictment last month. Pineda-Callejas, who lists Riverdale as his residence, was not in custody before the May 21 operation.
Officials provided no further information on the minor involved or any potential additional suspects. The arrest closes the immediate fugitive status for Pineda-Callejas following the issuance of the warrant after the April grand jury action.
The detention center in Charles County now holds the defendant pending further proceedings in the Circuit Court. Bond denial means he will remain in custody unless a judge orders otherwise at a future hearing.
This marks the resolution of the active warrant stemming from the sexual offense indictment. The collaborative effort between local detectives and the federal task force assigned to the CCSO’s Judicial Services Section allowed for the quick location and arrest once the warrant was active.
