Fugitive Wanted for Sexual Crimes Against Minors Apprehended in Arizona

Phoenix, AZ - On Thursday afternoon, Evin Blanchard, 24, was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona by members of the U.S. Marshals led Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force. Blanchard was wanted by the San Francisco Police Department on several counts of sexual criminal conduct which included five counts of Child Molestation, four counts of Sending Harmful Material to a Minor and Production of Child Pornography.

“Fugitives like Evin Blanchard are a primary focus for the U.S. Marshals Service,” said David Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona. “The more time he spends in our communities, the more likelihood that additional children are placed at risk.”

It is alleged that Blanchard, while residing in San Francisco and working as a camp counselor, fondled three young girls under the age of 15 years old. It is further alleged that Blanchard was attempting to solicit sexually explicit material from these young girls as well as send sexually explicit material to them. Blanchard also has an extensive criminal history to include an arrest for Weapons Offenses out of California.

Investigators determined that Blanchard had fled northern California and ultimately landed in Arizona, possibly residing in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Acting on this information, members of the U.S. Marshals led Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force were able to locate and identify Blanchard coming out of a residence in the area of Camelback Rd. and 91st Ave. Task force members made contact with Blanchard and he was taken into custody. Directly following the arrest of Blanchard, a large quantity of Marijuana was seized from the residence along with a stolen firearm and several thousand dollars in U.S. currency.

The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined.