Wednesday, November 26, 2014

U.S. Marshals and FBI Arrest Man Accused of Having Sex with Six Year Old



Honolulu, HI – On Monday, November 24, 2014, members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) located and arrested 50 year-old Ronnie Chisholm of Oahu at an address located in Hauula. Chisholm was wanted by the County of Maricopa, Arizona on an arrest warrant for two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of molestation of a child. All counts are classified as a dangerous crime against children.

On or about September 11, 1988 to September 11, 1989, Chisholm is accused of engaging in various sexual acts and sexual molestation with a minor who at the time was six years old. Chisholm was in a relationship with the victim’s mother while living within the County of Maricopa.

On January 20, 2000, a grand jury indictment for Chisholm was filed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s office, but Chisholm had already left Arizona and was living in Hawaii. Then on November 13, 2014, an arrest warrant was issued by the County of Maricopa for Chisholm based on the January 2000 indictment. The Maricopa County Attorney’s office immediately sought the assistance of the FBI and U.S. Marshals to track down Chisholm and return him to Arizona. U.S. Marshals Task Force members and FBI agents in Honolulu identified possible locations for Chisholm while conducting surveillance and following up on leads. On November 24 at approximately 5:45 pm, U.S. Marshals, ICE-ERO Task Force Officers, and FBI agents located Chisholm at his residence on Kaipapau Loop where he was taken into custody.

Chisholm was transported and booked into the Honolulu Police Department Central Receiving pending a court appearance and extradition hearing back to Arizona.

Suspect Arrested in Sanford, North Carolina by U.S. Marshals



Sanford, NC – This morning at 10:15 AM, Charles Anthony Cox, a 33 year old, White Male, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force (JFTF). Cox was wanted by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) in Randolph County, North Carolina for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Fleeing to Elude, and numerous other traffic violations. On November 18, 2014, Trooper J.D. Allred of the NCSHP stopped Cox for a registration violation on Interstate 73. During the traffic stop, Trooper Allred discovered a concealed handgun in the center console of Cox's vehicle and seized it. Cox then immediately fled away in the vehicle before he could be arrested. A high speed vehicle pursuit ensued but was later terminated by the NCSHP due to extenuating circumstances.

Information was developed that placed Cox at a residence located at 1291 South Carbonton Road in Sanford, North Carolina. Investigators surrounded the residence and a search of it was conducted. Cox was found hiding in a bedroom closet. JFTF transported Cox to the Randolph County Detention Center where he was given a $25,000 secured bond.

The U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force for the Middle District of North Carolina is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Chapel Hill Police Department, Durham Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Winston-Salem Police Department, Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Department of Community Corrections – Probation & Parole.

Self-Proclaimed Pastor Now One of U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted



Built special camp where he allegedly sexually assaulted young girls he called “maidens”

Washington – A self-proclaimed pastor’s life on the run as a fugitive just got a little harder today after the U.S. Marshals Service added him to its 15 Most Wanted fugitive list.

Victor Arden Barnard, 53, is wanted by the Pine County Sheriff’s Office in Pine City, Minnesota, for 59 felony counts of criminal sexual assault stemming from allegations that he sexually abused young girls while acting as their pastor. The U.S. Marshals joined the manhunt for Barnard after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

“The malicious crimes allegedly committed by Victor Barnard make him a significant threat to the community,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton. “The women and men of the U.S. Marshals are committed to locating and apprehending this vile fugitive so that he can finally face justice.”

In 2000, Barnard secured a large camp site near Finlayson, Minnesota, where he started River Road Fellowship, a church into which he recruited members from all over the country. He convinced several of his followers to allow their young daughters to live with him on the camp site. Barnard then allegedly created a separate housing area on the site and designated it as Shepherd’s Camp, where he housed these young girls and referred to them as maidens.

From 2000 to 2009, Barnard allegedly sexually assaulted some of the girls living in Shepard’s Camp. After some adult members began questioning his actions, Barnard moved his family and the church to the state of Washington. A number of his followers, including maidens, left with him.

Barnard was charged with the sexual assaults in April 2014, and has been a fugitive ever since. U.S. Marshals believe there is a chance he may have left the country, because he has strong ties to Spain. It is also believed Barnard continues to receive support from his followers and some of his young victims.
“Given the nature of his charges, he poses a significant threat to the community,” said Sharon Lubinski, U.S. Marshal of the District of Minnesota.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading directly to Barnard’s arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office or the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102.