DS Assists In Arrest Of Fugitive Wanted In Child Sex Abuse CaseU.S. Marshals ServicePompano Beach, FL July 9, 2008 U.S. Marshals have arrested another fugitive who is wanted in Central Florida for sexually abusing a child under the age of 16. On July 8, 2008, 42-year old GEORGE LANNING was arrested by Deputy Marshals, Diplomatic Security special agents, Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents and Miramar Police detectives who are members of the U.S. Marshals violent fugitive task force. LANNING was wanted by the Orange County Sheriff’s office for sexually molesting a 13-year old girl in June and July of 2007. An arrest warrant was issued in August 2007, but by then, LANNING had fled the Orlando area and headed to South Florida. U.S. Marshals have been searching for LANNING who has been living at numerous addresses in Broward County area for the past year. According to law enforcement authorities in Orlando, LANNING sexually abused his girlfriend’s daughter on two different occasions last year. U.S. Marshals received a tip that LANNING was staying at an apartment located at 516 SE Ocean Dr. Apt. 2 in Pompano Beach. When U.S. Marshals and task force officers entered LANNING’s apartment, they encountered LANNING and an associate packaging cocaine, marijuana, and hydrocodone pills into small baggies. LANNING’s numerous tattoos throughout his body made it easy for Deputy Marshals to identify him. U.S. Marshals in Orlando had previously found a photo of LANNING holding a firearm in his hand and brandishing several handguns and ammunition magazines that were sticking out of his pants. LANNING gave U.S. Marshals a fake name, but a quick check of the “Prime Time” and “The World is Mine” tattoos on his chest was clear and convincing evidence that Deputy Marshals had their man. LANNING is no stranger to the criminal justice system. LANNING’s first arrest was in 1984 and in 1985, shortly after he turned 20 years old, he was arrested for shoplifting and aggravated assault with a weapon. The extent of his arrest history expands 72 pages in the National Crime Information Center’s database. A list of LANNING’s convictions are as follows:
LANNING was booked into the Broward County jail last night on the outstanding sexual abuse charges from Orange County. For a picture of LANNING, go to www.sheriff.org and click on arrest search. Contact: Deputy U.S. Marshal Barry Golden |