(Credit: Bucks County DA)
A Warminster man who authorities said fled to El Salvador after being charged with raping and sexually assaulting three young girls, and was extradited 11 months later, is heading to Bucks County Common Pleas Court after waiving most charges last week.
Noel Angel Yanes, of Norristown Road, was arrested in El Salvador on Jan. 8, 2025, and extradited to the United States on Dec. 10, as announced by former Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn.
Two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor were withdrawn at the March 4 preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christopher E. O'Neill, according to court records. Remaining felony charges of child rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault on a person under 13, and three counts of corruption of minors were moved to court, as well as two misdemeanor charges of indecent assault of a person under 13, according to court records.
Yanes initially fled the country after charges were filed in February 2024, Schorn said.
He has been jailed in Bucks County since December on 10% of $500,000 cash bail.
At the time of Yanes' arrest, Schorn praised the efforts of law enforcement.
“The capture and return of Noel Angel Yanes is a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by all agencies involved. To those who commit crimes against the most vulnerable and believe they can evade accountability by fleeing across borders, this should serve as a clear message: you will be found, apprehended, and brought back to face the consequences of your actions," Schorn said in a news release.
An investigation began after reports were made to Warminster Police that Yanes had sexually assaulted three juveniles, police said.
According to allegations from the three victims: One victim disclosed that Yanes raped her several times beginning when she was about five years old and continuing until she was 11 years old. A second victim said Yanes sexually assaulted her on at least three occasions, when she was between the ages of four and six. The third victim was eight years old at the time of the alleged assault.
In addition to the Warminster Township Police Department, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force provided critical assistance in the capture and return of Yanes, according to Schorn.
Formal arraignment is set for April 2 in Bucks County Common Pleas Court.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
