Task Force Tracks Wanted Sex Offender to West Virginia

Akron, OH – U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott announces the apprehension of fugitive sex offender Jeff Withrow late Tuesday evening in Rand, West Virginia. Withrow, age 44, was wanted by the Medina County Sheriff’s Office for failure to register as a sex offender and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for escape. The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force was requested to assist in locating and apprehending fugitive Withrow on the outstanding warrants.

Withrow was convicted in 1994 on charges of gross sexual imposition of a six year old female. Withrow is a habitual offender for failing to register his place of residency with the Adult Parole Authority and the Sheriff’s Office. Withrow was supposed to register in West Virginia but never registered.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force worked the case for several weeks with the assistance of the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Medina Police Department, Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, Brunswick Police Department and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority. With no solid leads, the Task Force profiled the fugitive in the local media as a wanted sex offender and received an anonymous tip that he had returned to his mother’s residence in West Virginia. The Task Force then reached out to the U.S. Marshals Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (C.U.F.F.E.D.) Task Force in West Virginia and requested assistance with the apprehension of Withrow.

The C.U.F.F.E.D. Task Force immediately responded and apprehended Withrow at his mother’s residence in Rand, West Virginia without incident. It was reported that Withrow had been living in a tent in the woods near his mother’s property while evading law enforcement. The arrest was captured on video in West Virginia as the C.U.F.F.E.D. Task Force had a television crew riding along with them during the apprehension. The video can be viewed at http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/100817_2632.shtm . Withrow will be extradited to Ohio to face the charges.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Thanks to the media and concerned citizens, we were able to bring this fugitive back into custody and ensure his location is known by law enforcement and the public as mandated due to his status as a convicted sex offender. This was a great job done by all involved.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of any 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 Akron Division is composed of the following federal, state, and local agencies: Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Boston Heights Village Police Department, Brimfield Township Police Department, Brunswick Hills Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Kent Police Department, Medina Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Northfield Village Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Reminderville Police Department, Stow Police Department, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Twinsburg Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service and University of Akron Police Department.