U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Arizona Man Charged with Sexually Victimizing a Child

Columbus, OH – The U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested an Arizona man today on outstanding warrants issued in Willcox, AZ.

James Wade Bell, 31, is wanted in Arizona on three counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a felony in the second degree, and three counts of Public Sexual Indecency to a Minor, a felony in the fifth degree. The charges stem from several incidents in January and February 2015 where he allegedly abused the child. The Willcox Justice Court filed the charges in late February 2015 and Bell had been on the run since.

Working closely with Deputy U.S. Marshals in Arizona, Columbus based Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers located Bell at a residence on Madison Drive in Newark. Bell surrendered to officers and was arrested without incident.

Bell is currently in custody at the Licking County Jail awaiting his extradition to Arizona.

Peter C. Tobin, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio said, “Bell’s arrest here in central Ohio demonstrates the Marshals Service ability to apprehend fugitives nation-wide. Outstanding investigative work by Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers, both here and in Arizona, brought quick closure to a case of such a vile and predatory nature.”

Columbus SOFAST is a fugitive focused, U.S. Marshals Service led task force consisting of local, state, and federal authorities including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Columbus Police Department, Reynoldsburg Police Department, Delaware County Probation, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.