'Fugitive of the Week,' Benjamin Kelso, Arrested by Ohio U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force

Concord, NH – This morning, “Fugitive of the Week,” Benjamin Kelso, 20, was located and arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Springfield, OH.

Kelso was wanted on outstanding arrest warrants issued by the Merrimack Sheriff’s Office for probation violations and failure to appear for heroin possession. Kelso was also wanted by Lawrence Police Department for escape and firearms charges.

This morning, investigators were actively searching for Kelso throughout Springfield. During their search, members of the task force gained information that led investigators to a local hotel where Kelso was staying. Kelso was located at the hotel, where he was taken into custody without incident. Kelso was located with his girlfriend, Rachael Jordon, 19, of Sanbornton, NH, who was wanted by Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office for probation violations and failure to appear for heroin possession. Additional charges could be pending for persons who assisted Kelso and Jordon, while they were on the run.

As part of the U.S. Marshals fugitive investigation, Kelso was featured as the “Fugitive of the Week” on June 24, 2015. The “Fugitive of the Week” is broadcast on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat, Manchester Information, The Manchester Ink Link and is prominently featured on the internet. The “Fugitive of the Week” continues to be very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007. Multiple tips led investigators to Pennsylvania Illinois and Ohio, which allowed for a successful arrest of Kelso this morning.

This arrest was coordinated through multiple task forces and agencies by the U.S. Marshals – NH Joint Fugitive Task Force, Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force, Central Illinois Violent Fugitive Task Force; Belknap County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Northfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,869 arrests (Updated as of 12/4/2014). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.