U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Fugitive Wanted for Assaulting his Probation Officer

Mansfield, OH – This morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested William Brown at a residence on the 3200 block of Hermosa Drive, Youngstown, Ohio. Brown was wanted by the Norwalk Police Department for felonious assault on a probation officer, wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a bench warrant for violating the terms of his bond on a current felony eluding case, and wanted by the state of Louisiana for violating his parole.

Brown was originally arrested on March 12, 2012 after leading the Ohio State Highway Patrol on a high speed pursuit during a traffic stop on I-71 in Richland County. Brown was later released on bond, placed under the supervision of the Richland County Probation Department, and directed to reside at his mother’s house in Norwalk, Ohio. On March 25, 2012 Brown assaulted his Probation Officer during a home visit at the Norwalk residence and fled the scene in a vehicle.

The Lorain County Division and the Richland County Division of the NOVFTF immediately started working together to initiate a fugitive investigation into Brown’s whereabouts. That investigation led to Youngstown, where Brown grew up and his family currently lives. Over the course of a week, Task Force Officers interviewed friends and family members of Brown and information was developed that led them to a residence on the 3200 block of Hermosa Drive. This morning, members of the Youngstown Division and the Richland County Division of the NOVFTF arrested Brown, after he was found at the residence attempting to hide in the attic.

Chief Probation Officer Dave Leitenberger of the Richland County Court and Adult Probation Department was notified of the arrest and he commented, "Probation Officers routinely make contacts with adult felony offenders in order to verify and enforce the compliance of their Court conditions of release. In doing so there is always the threat that they can escalate into the one in which William Brown assaulted the Officer and fled. Our department has been an avid supporter and participant of the U.S. Marshals NOVFTF here in Richland County and it is times like this, where being on the receiving end of their efforts to enhance our community safety by locating and apprehending wanted felons, like Mr. Brown, validates our support and commitment to the NOVFTF. On behalf of the Richland County Court and Adult Probation Department, I wish to express my appreciation of the initial response of the Norwalk Police Department and especially all the hard work of the entire U.S.Marshals NOVFTF team, including the Lorain and Youngstown Divisions, in their diligent non-stop efforts to locate and safely take into custody William Brown."

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pd , which is updated monthly.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Municipal Probation, Ashland Police Department, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Butler Police Department, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.