U.S. Marshals Task Force on a Roll in Akron

Akron, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) Akron Division hit the streets hard yesterday arresting two violent fugitives. The Springfield Township Police Department requested the assistance of the NOVFTF to locate and apprehend Larry W. Johnson, age 54. Johnson was wanted for rape under the age of thirteen, gross sexual imposition and importuning out of Springfield Township, Ohio. The incidents allegedly took place on multiple occasions from 2007 thru 2009, against a victim under the age of thirteen. After a lengthy manhunt that spanned from Canton to Barberton, Johnson was located and apprehended at approximately 1:00 p.m. at an address on Buddy Lane, in Barberton, OH.

The NOVFTF also apprehended Steven Young, age 24, a known gang member who was being sought for aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery after a month long investigation into his whereabouts. Young was wanted by the Akron Police Department on crimes that occurred April 9, 2012. Young and an accomplice are alleged to have entered a home on Lake Street in Akron with weapons demanding money. During the robbery over one thousand dollars cash, jewelry, and keys to the home and car were stolen from a safe. Akron Police requested the assistance of the NOVFTF with locating and apprehending Young. Yesterday, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the NOVFTF, along with the Akron PD gang unit, identified Young’s whereabouts in the 1100 block of Becker Lane in Akron. After hours of surveillance and patience, Young was arrested without incident. Officers discovered a semi-automatic 9mm pistol and a stolen 5.56 caliber rifle loaded with 27 rounds of ammo in the magazine.

The NOVFTF is still seeking the accomplice in this crime, Anthony Shellman. Shellman was added to the NOVFTF “Dangerous Dozen” earlier this week and his full wanted poster can be viewed via the link to the website listed below. 

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated “Our Task Force is committed to assist local police departments in assuring that their citizens feel safe. The Task Force has worked very hard to track, locate and apprehend fugitives from justice no matter where they run and hide.”

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 or text keyword WANTED and the tip to 847411(tip411). Tipsters may remain anonymous. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.

The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:  Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department Boston Heights Village Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development – OIG, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kent Police Department, Montville Township 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, Ravenna Police Department, Reminderville Police Department, Stow Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Twinsburg Police Department, United States Marshals Service, United States Secret Service, University of Akron Police Department, Wadsworth Police Department.