For Immediate Release

Valdosta, GA - The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force today announced the arrest of Frank Gillard, 55, of Tallahassee, FL on an outstanding Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) charge of Sexual Battery on a Mentally Defective Victim. According to court documents, the Tallahassee Police Department responded to the area of 1600 Stuckey Ave, Tallahassee, FL on March 11, 2010 in reference to a report of a sexual battery. TPD Officers made contact with a 22 year old female victim at the address along with the victim’s mother who advised officers that a family friend had been caught in the act of having sex with the victim. According to the victim’s mother, her son observed Gillard and the victim engaged in sex when the son returned from a trip to a local store. TPD Investigators arranged for a forensic interview and determined that the 22 year old victim was “mentally defective” and that the victim’s mental status functioned at the “Pre-K” level. On March 12 a warrant was issued for the arrest of Frank Gillard for the charge of Sexual Battery on a Mentally Defective Victim but prior to TPD officers arresting him Gillard fled the Tallahassee area.

On March 16 the Tallahassee Police Department referred the case to the US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force for assistance in apprehending Gillard. Investigation by Task Force Officers indicated that Gillard fled Tallahassee, FL on March 12 and possibly headed to Valdosta, GA where Gillard has numerous family members. On March 17, US Marshals along with Task Force Officers from the Tallahassee Police Department responded to Valdosta, GA in an effort to locate and arrest Gillard. Task Force Officers met with members of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and within hours of their arrival had located and arrested Gillard without incident. Gillard in currently incarcerated in the Lowndes County Jail and is awaiting extradition back to Tallahassee, FL to face his charges.

U.S. Marshal Dennis Williamson stated that “the ability of the Task Force to respond quickly to requests for assistance from our state and local partners ensures that justice is neither delayed nor denied for the victims of violent crime.” The US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is currently made up of members from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County State Attorney’s Office, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, Tallahassee Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office. All participating officers are sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals and have the authority to travel anywhere within the United States of America to arrest violent felons who have fled from the above jurisdictions.

For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov.