An alleged child molester who has been on the run from Clackamas and Washington county authorities for over half his life will finally have to face justice. Barrett Preston Busschau, 43, of South Africa, was first arrested in Clackamas County in July 1993 for the alleged molestation of five girls between the ages of 10 and 15.
At the time, he was facing numerous sex abuse charges in Clackamas and Washington counties. However, he fled before the court processes in either county could proceed, and for over two decades, was able to dodge attempts to apprehend him.
Busschau is a South African citizen who came to the United States as a child. In 1989, he obtained legal permanent resident status. The FBI and Clackamas County ramped up their efforts to apprehend Busschau earlier this year, with a far-reaching publicity campaign in the Pacific Northwest and South Africa that culminated with his surrender to authorities.
“For a quarter of a century, Barrett Busschau managed to hide half-a-world away,” said Renn Cannon, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Thanks to an FBI case agent’s persistence, the prosecutors and partnerships stretching from Oregon to South Africa, Mr. Busschau will finally have to face these serious allegations and his accusers in court.”
