Anthony Lennon, an Oklahoma sex offender, was arrested in New York last week after evading capture for 13 years. He allegedly faked his own abduction in 2012 to avoid new charges of possessing child pornography. Lennon, one of Oklahoma’s “Ten Most Wanted,” was found enrolled at the State University of New York at Canton under the alias “Justin Phillips,” according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
In 2008, Lennon was convicted on charges related to child pornography and received a 20-year suspended sentence. In 2012, new charges were filed against him, prompting a warrant for his arrest. Lennon staged an elaborate crime scene at a Super 8 Motel in Moore, Oklahoma, to make it appear as though he had been abducted. Evidence at the scene included a pool of blood, Lennon’s shoe, and missing money from the hotel drawer.
Lennon lived under the alias for years, enrolling in college and allegedly attempting to obtain a passport under a false name. His identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis, leading to his arrest. Authorities are investigating whether Lennon committed additional crimes while on the run. The U.S. Marshals Service stated that with Lennon’s capture, they can begin the process of holding him accountable for his crimes against children in Oklahoma.
Lennon is currently in custody in New York, awaiting extradition to Oklahoma to face new federal charges. Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austen expressed hope that Lennon will receive a life sentence, ensuring no more children are harmed by him.
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