Hampton Bays man arrested in Pennsylvania faces more than 30 domestic violence charges

A Hampton Bays man considered a "dangerous" fugitive is awaiting extradition to Suffolk County after being arrested Monday by U.S. marshals in Pennsylvania on an outstanding warrant from Southampton Town, federal officials said.

Justin Suarez, 27, was arrested in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, in the Poconos by the U.S. Marshals Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force. He was wanted in connection with more than 30 counts of violent domestic crime, including second-degree strangulation, third-degree rape, first-degree harassment, first-degree coercion and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as charges of felony animal cruelty, officials said.

Suarez is being held in Scranton pending arraignment and extradition.

Federal officials said Suarez was arrested after a joint investigation with the Pennsylvania State Police, Scranton police, Pocono Mountain Regional police and Southampton Town police. They said he was found after information was developed by the U.S. Marshals New York / New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Southampton Town police, citing the continuing investigation, said they could not immediately comment on the arrest or the case against Suarez.

A spokesman for the Marshals' office in Scranton, Martin Pane, said in a statement: "Our society must not tolerate such violence and should be committed to ensuring that dangerous fugitives are brought before the court. We are committed to ensuring this and it is my sincere hope this arrest brings the victim some sense of comfort knowing the alleged attacker is now in custody."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”