The U.S. Marshals Service said that a twice-convicted sex offender from Delaware County was arrested Wednesday in southwestern Florida after he was found living in a primitive handmade shelter in the woods.
Joseph Christopher Mazzoni, 46, formerly of Chester, was arrested Wednesday on the outskirts of Naples, Fla., near the Everglades Parkway, also known as Alligator Alley.
Mazzoni had been wanted since March 9 by the Pennsylvania State Police for multiple alleged offenses involving child pornography and failing to register as a sex offender, the agency said.
He had already been convicted twice of sex offenses and was categorized as a “Tier 3” offender, meaning he was required to register under Megan’s Law in Pennsylvania for the rest of his life.
Investigators believed Mazzoni was hiding in Florida and receiving assistance to avoid being caught by law enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
On Wednesday morning, a search warrant was executed on the 2300 block of Crawford Avenue in Naples, Fla.
“After a thorough search of the property, Mazzoni was found living in the woods behind the residence,” the agency said.
The U.S. marshals in Philadelphia posted photos of Mazzoni being arrested and of his rudimentary shelter, which was covered with palm fronds and a tarp.
Mazzoni was being held in Collier County, Fla., while he awaits extradition to Pennsylvania, the agency said.
“The U.S. Marshals Service has zero tolerance for sexual predators preying on children; as Mr. Mazzoni learned, going entirely off of the grid in a different state offers no respite from the relentless pursuit of justice.” Eric S. Gartner, U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said in a statement.