Pittsburg Fugitive on the Run Tracked Down in San Antonio

Suspect Facing 163 Counts of Fraud Captured

San Antonio, TX - Shantel Johnson, 27, was arrested this afternoon by members of the United States Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) and San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) Repeat Offender Program (ROP) Unit in San Antonio, TX. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office in Pittsburg, PA, where it is alleged that Johnson committed 163 counts of fraud.

In June of this year, members of the LSFTF initiated an investigation in locating and apprehending Johnson. Today, through investigative efforts, extensive surveillance, and critical assistance from the SAPD ROP Unit, it was determined that Johnson was hiding out at a residence located in the 3600 block of Invicta Drive, on the northeast side of San Antonio. Task force and ROP Unit officers entered the residence, identified themselves, made contact with Johnson, and took her into custody without incident.

On September 4, 2014, an Allegheny County district judge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued a warrant for Johnson’s arrest on allegations involving 54 counts of forgery, 54 counts of identity theft, 53 counts of access device fraud, and 2 counts of theft by deception. Johnson immediately fled the state of Pennsylvania and went into hiding to avoid prosecution. She remained a fugitive at large until she was arrested today in San Antonio.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “Fugitives go on the run with the hopes of never being captured or being held accountable for their crimes. Part of our mission is to ensure that every fugitive is arrested and sees their day in court and we will continue to fulfill that mission no matter where fugitives may run.”

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:

    New Braunfels Police Department

    San Antonio PoliceDepartment

    San Antonio Independent School District Police Department

    Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

    Comal County Sheriff’s Office

    Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office

    Bexar County District Attorney’s Office

    Texas Office of The Attorney General

    Texas Department of Public Safety

    Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General

    Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal

    U.S. Marshals Service