A U.S. citizen accused of sexually abusing children was extradited to the United States Friday, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

The man, identified by the last name Gavino, 36, was arrested June 8 in the central Pacific beach town of Jacó, where he owned a restaurant. He tried to flee twice after being arrested but was recaptured by police, the statement said.

A warrant for Gavino's arrest was issued by a judge in the U.S. town of Polk, Florida on May 20, 2004. He is accused of abusing a minor and having sexual relations with a 12-year-old girl from June 2002 to April 2004.

He was on the Florida Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) list of the “five most wanted pedophiles,” according to the daily La Nación.

Tourism Police, International Police (INTERPOL) and Immigration officials worked together to locate and arrest him.

-Tico Times