U.S. Marshals End the “joy ride” for Sex Offender at the state fair

U.S. Marshals apprehended Shawn Downer at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds on Wednesday October 13th, 2010.  The Yarmouth Police Department in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals in Boston, Massachusetts in locating and arresting Downer.  Downer was originally charged with Possession of Child Pornography on July 11th, 2005, Sex Offense Against a Child on February 15th, 2006 and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender on or about November 17th, 2009 in the state of Massachusetts.  Downer works for a traveling New York vendor providing food at local and state fairs across the country. 

U.S. Marshals led task force Operation Intercept received the request for assistance in locating Downer at the state fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina.  Deputy U.S. Marshals and task force officers developed information on the location of Downer inside the fairgrounds and arrested him without incident.  Downer was transported to the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina where he was arraigned and denied bond.  Downer waived extradition and is now waiting to be transported to Massachusetts.  Downer is being housed at the Lexington County Detention Center.

U.S. Marshal Kelvin Washington  stated “The U.S. Marshals have a responsibility in apprehending wanted sex offenders.  The Adam Walsh Act of 2006 directs the U.S. Marshals to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities in locating and apprehending these individuals. The hard work and dedication of all law enforcement involved has proved once again that fugitives can attempt to hide in our great state, however the tireless efforts of our trained investigators will bring them to justice.”

Established in 1789, the United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. In fiscal 2009, the Marshals arrested more than 36,400 federal fugitives, clearing 39,400 felony warrants.  Marshal’s Service-led task forces like South Carolina’s Operation Intercept arrested 90,800 state and local fugitives, clearing 117,000 felony warrants. Locally, Operation Intercept arrested over 2,500 South Carolina fugitives during that same period. More information about the Marshals and other South Carolina fugitives can be found on the web at http://www.usmarshals.gov/.