Oklahoma Fugitive Captured After 13 Years on the Run

UPDATE: A man on Oklahoma’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, Anthony Lennon, has been captured after 13 years of evading law enforcement. The apprehension occurred outside a grocery store in Canton, New York, where he was attending a local university, marking a significant breakthrough in a lengthy search.

Officials confirm that Lennon, originally convicted in 2008 for possession of child pornography, staged his own disappearance in 2012 following multiple probation violations. “Let’s just say that he’s been very good at evading justice,” stated U.S. Marshal Johnny Kuhlman for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Lennon’s troubles began when the Moore Police Department discovered he had accessed a computer while on probation. “In March 2012, our worst fears were confirmed,” said Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson. “We discovered additional child pornography and exploitative images on Mr. Lennon’s electronic devices.” This led to eight felony charges against him.

To escape capture, Lennon purportedly staged a robbery and kidnapping from his workplace at a Super 8 Motel in Moore. “We never believed that Mr. Lennon was deceased or a victim of a crime. We believed he was trying to evade capture,” remarked Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austin.

For over a decade, investigators tracked Lennon, following a trail of aliases that led them to New York. Local Deputy U.S. Marshals, along with Moore Police detectives, collaborated with the New York New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force to finally close in on him.

Lennon now faces a federal charge for failing to register as a sex offender, in addition to the eight counts of possession of child pornography. Authorities indicate that more charges may be forthcoming as they coordinate with federal partners. “We will have to work together to determine who gets to go first,” Austin added.

Currently, Lennon is in custody in New York, awaiting a judge’s decision on whether he will be extradited back to Oklahoma. This high-profile capture highlights the continued efforts of law enforcement to bring fugitives to justice, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance and cooperation.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops, and watch for potential implications of Lennon’s case on ongoing discussions surrounding sex offender registration and law enforcement practices.