A Concord minister arrested in 2016 for sexually assaulting a teen girl has been captured in Mexico, authorities said.

On Wednesday, Fernando David Maldonado was extradited back to the United States from Mexico to face sentencing. In 2017, he was convicted of 23 counts of child molestation.

Maldonado was released on $1.29 million bail after his initial arrest in 2015.

But he ended up leaving the country during his trial, authorities said.

“On December 4, 2017, Maldonado went to trial. After a jury was sworn and evidence was presented against him, Maldonado failed to appear for court on December 11, 2017. The trial proceeded without him and on December 13, 2017, Maldonado was convicted of all 23 counts,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.

Maldonado was a former pastor at multiple churches in Contra Costa County. For two years, he sexually assaulted the victim.

The girl attended his church and was under 14 when the assaults started.

During the trial, around Dec. 9, 2017, the D.A. says Maldonado fled to Mexico to avoid sentencing.

Maldonado was deported to the United States on Tuesday.

“Maldonado was flown to Los Angeles International Airport from Mexico City and booked at the Los Angeles Police Department jail. Maldonado will be transported back to Contra Costa County once his extradition has been approved by a Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles County,” the D.A.’s Office said.

Maldonado is scheduled to appear in court on Apr. 13.

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