U.S. Marshals Arrest Alleged Child Rapist from Scranton

Also wanted on Lackawanna County sex-related parole warrant

Scranton, PA – U.S. Marshal Michael R. Regan announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Anthony Simpson in Elmira, New York. Simpson was being sought on multiple warrants from authorities in Lackawanna County.

On July 8, 2010, the Scranton Police Department responded to the 900 block of

Albright Avenue

to investigate a report of sexual assaults against a 12 year old child. The assaults allegedly occurred a few days prior. Scranton police investigated additional reports of similar-type sexual assaults by the same perpetrator against an 11 year old child in the same neighborhood.

On August 3, 2010, Magisterial District Judge James P. Kennedy in Scranton signed an arrest warrant against Simpson, charging him with the following offenses:

1 count of Rape of a Child

1 count of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child

1 count Indecent Assault of a Person less than 13 years of age

2 counts of Unlawful Contact with Minors - (Sexual Offenses)

2 counts of Corruption of Minors

On September 7, 2010, an arrest warrant was signed by Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas Judge Vito P. Geroulo, charging Simpson with Violation of Parole. In 2008, Simpson had been arrested by the Scranton Police Department on charges of Indecent Assault of a Person less than 13 years of age, Corruption of Minors, and Endangering the Welfare of Children. He was convicted and sentenced to a county prison term. Simpson was released on county parole from the Lackawanna County Prison in January 2010.

The Scranton Police Department requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and apprehend Simpson. This fugitive case was adopted by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Marshals based in Scranton conducted interviews and investigated several leads in Lackawanna County. U.S. Marshals developed information Simpson fled the area.

On November 2, U.S. Marshals and members of the USMS Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force traveled to upstate New York to investigate several viable leads in Elmira. At approximately 4:00PM, U.S. Marshals positively identified Simpson as he exited a house in the 600 block of

Columbia Street

in Elmira. The fugitive was taken into custody without incident. He was found in possession of a small amount of cocaine.

Simpson, 27 years of age, was returned to Pennsylvania, where he was lodged in the Lackawanna County Prison.

U.S. Marshals were diligent in their search for Simpson. As part of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, personnel from the Lackawanna County Sheriffs Office and the Pennsylvania State Police assisted in the investigation and apprehension of Simpson. U.S. Marshals were also aided by detectives from the Elmira Police Department.

To ensure the safety of children across the country, the U.S. Marshals Service has taken an aggressive approach in prioritizing, investigating, and arresting those persons charged with sex offenses against children.