U.S. Marshals Arrest State Parole Violator After 8 Years on the Run

Scranton, PA – United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Thomas McCarty in a remote section of Wyoming County, near Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. McCarty, a 48-year old man, was being sought by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for violating the conditions of his state parole.

McCarty has an extensive criminal history dating back almost 30 years.

In 1985, McCarty was arrested in Lycoming County for statutory rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and other sex-related offenses. He pled guilty to charges of statutory rape and corruption of minors, and was sentenced to state prison for a term of 1 ½ to 4 years. McCarty was released on state parole supervision in 1988.

In 1997, McCarty was convicted on charges of Indecent Assault of a Minor, Corruption of a Minor, Forgery, and Theft in Lycoming County and Northumberland County. He was committed to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to serve a 3 to 13 year prison sentence. McCarty was released on state parole supervision in 2000.

In March 2005, McCarty stopped reporting to state parole authorities and disappeared. In May 2005, an arrest warrant was issued by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole charging McCarty with violating the terms of his state parole. He remained a fugitive-from-justice for the past 8 years.

In June 2011, state parole authorities requested the assistance of the United States Marshals Service and its Fugitive Task Force to locate and arrest McCarty.

On July 24, Deputy U.S. Marshals from Scranton and Williamsport, along with task force personnel, located McCarty at a rugged, remote, wooded location off of Rockledge Road, near Tunkhannock in Wyoming County. The fugitive was arrested and offered no resistance. McCarty was turned over to authorities from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, and lodged at the State Correctional Institution in Waymart.

United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “This case exemplifies the dedication the Fugitive Task Force has towards cold cases. I am proud of the hard work displayed by the case investigators and, while not an easy case, justice prevailed.”

Michael C. Potteiger, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole said, “This capture demonstrates the cooperation and partnership between the U.S. Marshals Service and all levels of law enforcement. This case has been outstanding since 2005. Its closure represents how we continue to work together as a team to pursue all fugitives, regardless of their time on the run.”

U.S. Marshals were assisted by officers from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Scranton Police Department, and Penn College Police Department. These agencies are participating members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the nation’s most dangerous offenders.