Sex offender caught after being on the run 12 years

A fugitive sex offender from Arizona on the run for 12 years was found Tuesday hiding out in Mexico, authorities said.

Stephen Scott Barnes, 49, was turned over to law-enforcement officers in Phoenix on Friday.

According to a U.S. Marshals Service press release, Barnes was released in1997 after serving five years in prison for sexual conduct with a minor and failed to register as a sex offender as required. He fled the country instead, authorities allege.

Barnes was arrested Tuesday by police in Cabo San Lucas, which is in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, and transferred into the custody of U.S. marshals.

The Marshals Service said Barnes is considered a Level 2 sex offender, which “is one that has been deemed to pose an intermediate risk based off significant factors contributing to sex offender recidivism.”

Sex offenders are assigned with a Level 1 to Level 3 classification — with Level 3 being the most severe — based on their risk of committing another sex crime.

‘‘ Ten (violations) would be a red flag. Repeat equipment violators can be issued citations on a case-by-case basis. DPS does review driver and company history during inspections and takes appropriate action, as needed.”

Head of the Department of Public Safety’s commercial-vehicle enforcement bureau for faulty equipment and failing to carry the proper documentation.

Commercial drivers, like every other motorist in Arizona, are on an eightpoint system that means they lose the privilege to drive when they are tagged with their eighth point.

But many of the violations Sandoval, 54, and Munoz collected were for equip-