SPIRIT LAKE, IA (NorthwestIowaNow) — A former Spirit Lake resident and restaurant owner has been sentenced to multiple life terms in Louisiana on child rape and molestation charges.

On Wednesday, September 24, 60-year-old Choy Van Leo was sentenced in Calcasieu Parish District Court to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for aggravated rape, along with four additional 15-year sentences for molestation of a juvenile. All sentences are to be served consecutively.

According to court records, Leo sexually abused seven children between the ages of 4 and 12 while living in southwest Louisiana between 1992 and August 28, 2000. The victims were reportedly either family members or close to the family.

An arrest warrant was issued on September 15, 2000, but Leo fled the state before he could be taken into custody. He remained a fugitive for nearly 24 years, avoiding detection by living off the grid — without a driver’s license, social media, or digital footprint.

In May 2024, investigators with the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office received a tip from a family member suggesting Leo may be living in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He was arrested on May 24. At the time, he was operating the Asian Palace Restaurant in Spirit Lake.

Leo was extradited to Louisiana, where he stood trial and was convicted last month. All seven victims testified during the proceedings.

The case was prosecuted by Chief of Litigation Charles Robinson and Deputy Chief of Litigation Taylor Alexander.