Weekend Arrest Ends Search for Convicted Sex Offender

Des Moines, IA – On Friday, August 31, 2012, the U.S. Marshals Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force requested the public’s assistance in the search for convicted sex offender Courtney Cortez Chestnut, 29, of Des Moines. Chestnut was wanted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for failure to register as a sex offender (2nd offense) and escape.

On Saturday evening, September 1, 2012, acting on a tip called into the Des Moines Police Department, Des Moines Police Officers arrested Chestnut at a residence in the 2000 block of 22nd Street in Des Moines. Chestnut was booked into the Polk County Jail where he is currently being held on $5,000 cash bond.

“This is just another example of the good, law-abiding citizens of Des Moines working together with law enforcement to make our communities a safer place to live,” said Michael R. Bladel, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Iowa. “I would like to thank the anonymous tipster, the media, and the Des Moines Police Department for their swift response to our request for assistance.”

The Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is a cooperative effort of the U.S. Marshals, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.