|
A sexual predator is on the run and U.S. Marshals believe his crimes
are so heinous that
they have earned him a spot on the Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted fugitive
list. Fugitive
Frederick McLean, 55, is wanted on multiple counts of
sexual assault on a child, but according to Deputy U.S. Marshal Tom Maranda, member of the U.S.
Marshal-led San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force, “multiple counts” is an
understatement.
Maranda explained, one alleged victim, now an adult, reported McLean
assaulted her more than 100 times, starting when she was 5 and ending about seven
years later.
“Investigators believe McLean’s abusive acts against young victims
span over a 20-year period,” said Maranda. “So it is imperative that predators like this
be taken off the streets.”
An arrest warrant was issued January 20, 2005, for McLean, but
authorities believe he sensed his days of freedom were numbered almost six months prior. In
May 2004, family members confronted McLean regarding a young female victim’s
allegations of molestation.
McLean admitted they were true, and the victim’s family decided to
call Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. After the confrontation, McLean’s wife and
children left him. Between May and September 2004, he began transferring financial assets to his
wife and he signed divorce papers. In September 2004, McLean’s father-in-law woke up one
morning to find McLean’s truck in his driveway. Inside the truck were McLean’s cell phone, letters
for the family, and instructions on how to sell the vehicle. It was evident from his actions that he
believed criminal charges against him were looming.
McLean is a 55-year-old white male who weighs 170 pounds and is 5
feet, 11 inches tall. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. He is an auto mechanic by trade
and once owned a race-car restoration business, specializing in Lola chassis Can-Am racing
cars from the 1960s and 1970s. McLean is also an experienced outdoorsman and may frequent
camping areas.
Authorities caution citizens to consider McLean armed and dangerous,
and possibly suicidal.
"Dangerous fugitives such as this are given the highest priority by
the Marshals Service because of the potential to harm other innocent citizens while they
remain at large," said Robert J. Finan II, head of the U.S. Marshals Investigative Services
Division.
There is a reward for information leading to the arrest of McLean,
and all inquiries remain confidential. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their
nearest U.S. Marshals Service office, or call the Marshals’ 24 hour phone line at
1-800-336-0102.
U.S. Marshals are the nation’s primary fugitive hunting organization
and capture more federal fugitives each year than all other law enforcement agencies
combined. For more information, go to
www.usmarshals.gov . |
