Tuscarawas County Fugitive Tracked Down and Captured in Kansas

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), in conjunction with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office of Ohio, have located and arrested violent fugitive Michael D. Evans.

Evans, age 30, was wanted by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear on aggravated robbery and felonious assault charges. He went on the run in early May with his wife, Kristy Evans, age 34, and her 7 year old daughter. The NOVFTF worked jointly with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office to locate Evans. It was discovered in early June that Evans was in the Miami, Florida area and was the primary suspect in a homicide that occurred at the Sunshine Inn Motel in Miami. The victim of the homicide, 46-year-old Joseph Everett Moniz, was found in a pool of blood inside a room at the Motel rented by the Evans family while on the run from the Ohio charges.

The NOVFTF continued to work closely with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office and developed leads in the case. This week, the investigation led to the Kansas area and the U.S. Marshals led Kansas Apprehension Fugitive Task Force (KAFTF) was requested to assist with the investigation. Due to the collaborative effort, Evans was apprehended yesterday, at approximately 8:00 p.m. (EST), by the KAFTF at the Motel 6 located at 3404 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas. Also present in the motel room at the time of arrest were Kristy Evans and her 7 year old daughter. Kristy Evans was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant out of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office for obstructing justice. The 7 year old daughter appeared to be in good health and is currently in the custody of Children Services in Kansas awaiting transfer of custody to a suitable relative in Ohio.

Authorities were also able to recover a 2005 Audi A4 convertible with Florida Temp Tags in a Walmart parking lot near the Motel in Kansas. This vehicle is believed to be the vehicle that Joseph Everett Moniz was driving prior to his murder.

Michael Evans and Kristy Evans were taken to the Ellis County Jail in Kansas to await extradition to Ohio. Investigators from Miami are in route to Kansas to continue the homicide investigation of Joseph Everett Moniz.

Chief Deputy Orvis Campbell of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office stated, “We are relieved that this dangerous fugitive is now in custody and that this innocent young girl is now safely removed from potential harm. We worked closely with the U.S. Marshals throughout this investigation and our great team effort was a direct factor leading to the arrest. We hope to continue this relationship and ensure those that flee from justice have nowhere to hide.”

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.

The NOVFTF Canton Division is comprised of the Brewster Police Department, Canton Police Department, Navarre Police Department, North Canton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Perry Township Police Department, Stark County Parks District, Stark County Probation Office, Stark County Sheriff’s Department, Uniontown Police Department and the United States Marshals Service.