U.S. Marshals Arrest Federal Fugitive from Alaska

Victims in underlying case included Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential candidate

Scranton, PA – United States Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today that the United States Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Shawn Christy, a 21-year old man, in McAdoo, Pennsylvania.

Christy was being sought on an arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court of Alaska on November 21, 2012, charging him with violation of federal probation.

On June 8, 2012, Christy was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage, Alaska to five (5) years of probation. He and his father Craig Christy had been previously charged with making harassing telephone calls to the law firm that represented Sarah Palin. These calls threatened Palin and her attorneys. In January 2012, both Christys pleaded guilty to the charges.

As a condition of the five (5) years of probation, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess ordered Shawn Christy to spend up to six (6) months in a community re-entry program at a Scranton residential facility.

Christy had his federal probation supervision transferred from the District of Alaska to the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In mid-July 2012, Christy entered the Catholic Social Services Residential Program. While residing at the Scranton Catholic Charity Center, it is alleged that Christy left without approval, was verbally abusive toward staff, and caused property damage at the facility.

Shortly after the issuance of the fugitive warrant on November 21, Marshals in Alaska sent an investigative lead to the USMS Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Marshals based in Scranton developed information that the fugitive had returned to McAdoo.

During the morning hours of November 28, U.S. Marshals located Christy at a house in the 100 block of South Harrison Street in McAdoo. Upon identifying themselves, Christy fled the residence and was pursued by law enforcement. After a short foot chase, U.S. Marshals subdued the fugitive without any further incident. At the time of arrest, Christy was in possession of a knife. Christy was transported to the U.S. Courthouse in Scranton, where he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas Blewitt. Christy was ordered detained, pending his removal to the District of Alaska for further court proceedings on the federal probation violation warrant.

United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “This case demonstrates the commitment of the U. S. Marshals Service to apprehend fugitives who fail to comply with their probation requirements.”

U.S. Marshals were assisted by personnel from the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office, a participating agency in its Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force.