Phoenix, AZ – This morning Deputy U.S.
Marshals in Oklahoma captured accused child molester Bobby Kennedy, 29, at a
residence in Lawton, OK.
Deputy U.S. Marshals began hunting for Kennedy in March 2006, at the request
of the Apache Junction Police Department. The U.S. Marshals and the Apache
Junction Police Department Criminal Investigation Division continued to work
together developing leads regarding the whereabouts of Kennedy. Recently,
Deputy U.S. Marshals from Phoenix developed significant information that
Kennedy was residing in Lawton, OK with his wife and small child. This
information was relayed to Deputies in Oklahoma who immediately established
surveillance on the residence and arrested Kennedy a short time later.
In 2005 an arrest warrant was issued by the Pinal County Superior Court
after Kennedy failed to appear for a court hearing. Kennedy, who was
employed as a teacher and youth pastor at the Morning Star Academy Charter
School, had been arrested by the Apache Junction Police Department after
allegations were made that he molested students at the Morning Star Academy.
Kennedy was subsequently released on bond and was believed to have fled the
Phoenix area shortly thereafter. During the course of the fugitive
investigation Deputies were able to determine that Kennedy had fled to
southern California before rejoining his wife and child, at which time they
moved to Lawton, OK.
United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of Deputies and law
enforcement officers adding, “The U.S. Marshals, as well as our state and
local partners, will continue to use every available resource to hunt down
those who prey upon our children.”
Investigators from the Apache Junction Police Department are coordinating
with the U.S. Marshals regarding additional investigative leads, and will be
pursuing additional charges on co-conspirators.
This arrest was a direct result of the investigative efforts between the
U.S. Marshals, Apache Junction Police Department, and the Arizona Department
of Public Safety.
For further information about the U.S. Marshals:
www.usmarshals.gov |
