Fugitive caught in Lexington County after being on the run for seven years

Lexington County investigators have arrested a man who they say has been on the run and living under various identities for seven years.

Deputies arrested Jose Antonio Gonzales, 58, on Monday night along Bush River Road, with help from State Law Enforcement Division agents, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Gonzales was wanted for violating conditions of his parole from a Florida prison seven years ago, officials said.

“He’s been living in West Columbia as Hector Acosta for about two years,” Sheriff Jay Koon said.

The arrest came after investigators got a Crimestoppers tip, officials said. Gonzales was taken to the Lexington County Detention Center to await full extradition to Florida.

A Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s sexual offender and predator flyer states a man with the same first, middle and last name and age was convicted of sexual battery in 1992.

The flyer also stated Gonzales absconded, meaning he no longer resided at the last reported address he gave to the Florida Sexual Offender Registry.

His other convictions include burglary assault on any person, aggravated battery with intended harm and robbery, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

This story was originally published October 18, 2016 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Fugitive caught in Lexington County after being on the run for seven years."