Operation Intercept Makes First South Carolina “Adam Walsh Act” Arrest

Jesse Merle Keffler was taken into custody without incident by members of the Marshals’ Operation Intercept fugitive task force today. Keffler, 35, was the first person in South Carolina to be arrested under the new Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. Deputy United States Marshals obtained an arrest warrant for Kessler yesterday alleging that he was required to register as a sex offender in South Carolina and failed to do so. Kessler was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center awaiting an initial appearance in federal court Monday. In announcing Keffler’s arrest, United States Marshal Johnny Mack Brown said, “We take our responsibilities under the Adam Walsh Act very seriously. For years, we have worked state and local fugitive sex offender cases. This new law gives us the authority to bring many of these same individuals into federal court to face prosecution. It is our hope that in doing so, South Carolina will be an even safer place to live.” Marshal Brown also added, “ The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation and Keffler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”