ExPeru leader in custody in S.F.

A former Peruvian president wanted on corruption charges in his home country appeared in a San Francisco courtroom Tuesday, shortly after his arrest by federal authorities and three months after he was taken into custody for public intoxication in Menlo Park.

Alejandro Toledo Manrique, who led Peru from 2001 to 2006, was arrested by U.S. marshals after Peruvian government officials requested his extradition, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Peruvian Public Ministry first announced Tuesday’s arrest on Twitter.

Toledo appeared in a San Francisco federal courtroom, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson placed him in custody pending detention proceedings, officials said. Toledo has resided in Northern California in recent years, including a brief stint as a professor at Stanford University.

In February 2017, the Peruvian government issued a warrant for Toledo’s arrest, alleging that he took $20 million in bribes from a Brazilian construction company in exchange for infrastructure contracts.

In March, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office deputies took him into custody on suspicion of public drunkenness near Menlo Park. The Sheriff’s Office did not file charges against Toledo and released him the following day.

The Sheriff’s Office said earlier this year that Interpol did not wish to extradite him after his arrest.

A detention hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco.