Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Greenville Fugitive in Federal Fraud Case Stemming from State Child Custody Battle Apprehended in Thailand

June 9, 2010 - COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney William N. Nettles stated today that federal fugitive, Samuel Lee Horton, age 38, of Greenville, South Carolina, was located yesterday in Phuket, Thailand, and is being escorted back to the United States by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He is expected to arrive late evening on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Los Angeles, California, and on Thursday, June 10, 2010, will be taken before a United States Magistrate to have an initial appearance on the charges which he faces.

On May 5, 2009, Horton was charged by the Greenville County Sheriff’s office with violating a custody order involving his 3-year-old child. Upon receiving information that Horton had taken the child outside of the United States, a federal warrant for his arrest for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued by Magistrate Judge William Catoe. Further investigation into the matter led to the issuance of a federal grand jury indictment for fraud in connection with a passport he secured for the minor child. Horton faces a sentence of up to 10 years' imprisonment for these offenses. Mr. Nettles emphasized that these are charges only and that Horton is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of Greenville is in charge of the investigation and prosecution of the case. AUSA Stephens highly commended FBI Special Agent Lisa Quillen for her efforts in locating Horton and insuring the safe return of the minor child. Mr. Stephens also thanked FBI Victim Witness Specialist Pamela Gregory and State Department Diplomatic Security Officer Stephen Schaper for the roles they played in bringing this situation to a successful conclusion.

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