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Tennessee man wanted for sex crimes in the 80's arrested in Bakersfield

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A man, wanted for sex crimes back in the 80's, was arrested in Bakersfield.

Rufus Stevens Jr., 67, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday at his home in the 2600 block of Brookside Drive in southwest Bakersfield.

Stevens was indicted by Shelby County grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee. Throughout 1982, officials said Stevens, on multiple occasions, forced himself on a 12 year old family member and repeatedly raped them.

Authorities developed a lead that Stevens had started a new life and was residing in Bakersfield.

Stevens was booked in the Kern County jail, is awaiting extradition to Tennessee and disposition of his case, officials said.

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