Oklahoma Fugitive Pair Captured in Newport News

Norfolk, VA – United States Marshal Robert W. Mathieson announces the capture of Lonnie Duncan and Stacey Zell. The pair was wanted by the Muskogee Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear on multiple drug related charges.

After initially being arrested in Oklahoma and being placed on bond, Duncan and Zell did not show up for a court hearing in December 2014, and warrants were issued for their arrest. In January 2015, the Muskogee Sheriff’s Office then asked for the assistance of the U.S. Marshals in Oklahoma with apprehending both fugitives. At that time, it was believed they had fled to the East Coast, and were still together.

The U.S. Marshals in Oklahoma began investigating the whereabouts of the two fugitives, and learned they were likely hiding out in Virginia. On February 17th, the U.S. Marshals in Oklahoma were able to narrow down the location of the two fugitives to the Hampton Roads area. When a vehicle the fugitives were believed to be driving was spotted in Newport News, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Norfolk was contacted to bring the pair’s flight from justice to an end.

On the morning of February 18th, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force was alerted that the vehicle the fugitives were believed to be driving was seen parked outside of a residence on Kingwood Drive in Newport News. After quickly responding to the area, U.S. Marshals were able to confirm the two individuals inside the suspect vehicle were in fact the fugitive pair from Oklahoma. After Duncan and Zell exited their vehicle and walked to the driveway of the residence, U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers converged on the fugitives and promptly apprehended them both.

Both Duncan and Zell are currently being housed at Newport News City Jail.

The U.S. Marshals-led Fugitive Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals, Chesapeake Sheriff’s Department, Newport News Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department and Norfolk Police Department. The main objective of the task force is to seek out and arrest violent offenders with outstanding federal and state warrants.

The U.S. Marshals Service, America’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, arrested more than 36,050 federal fugitives, 74,000 state and local fugitives and 11,800 sex offenders in 2013. Our investigative network and capabilities allow for the unique ability to track and apprehend any fugitive who attempts to evade police capture, anywhere in the country. For more information on the U.S. Marshals, please visit our website. www.usmarshals.gov