For Immediate Release

Mansfield, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force has tracked down another fugitive wanted for sex offenses. Fugitive Bobby Smith was wanted by the Mansfield Police Department and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force for sexual battery of a minor. These charges occurred in April 2009 and Smith has been on the run since this time. The Task Force worked tirelessly in an effort to locate Smith and followed leads all around Ohio and beyond.

The case was starting to turn cold until investigators recently received a tip stating that Smith was hiding out with associates in Detroit, Michigan. The Task Force immediately contacted the U.S. Marshals Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) and passed on all information regarding Smith. The U.S. Marshals DFAT conducted their investigation in the Detroit area and were able to find a source that positively identified Smith residing at a family address on Pinehurst Street in Detroit. Last Friday, September 11, 2009, the U.S. Marshals DFAT searched the residence and found Smith hiding in a room on the second floor. Smith was arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Ohio to face his charges.

“The teamwork put into this case by all of our task force partners is what led to this successful capture,” stated Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Deserto. “There really is no where to run or hide, be assured that our task force will continue to pursue those that evade the law.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Richland County is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Butler Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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