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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
September 29, 2008 Hector Gomez, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal
(512) 916-5393
 
Texas Fugitive, Multi-State Suspect Nabbed in Pacific Northwest
 
LSFTF LogoAustin, TX – Rodney Lee Compton, 24, a recent Pennsylvania parolee was arrested early Saturday morning in the small hamlet of Castle Rock, Washington at the foot of Mount St. Helens. Compton was arrested without incident by U.S. Marshals, Castle Rock Police Department, and the Vancouver Police Department Career Criminal Apprehension Team.

Compton, released from Pennsylvania Department of Corrections on August 10, 2008, engaged in a multi-state crime spree starting in Jasper County, Christian County Missouri, and Pittsburg, Kansas. Days later, Compton is suspected of a home invasion robbery and vehicle theft of an elderly woman in San Antonio, TX. On September 10th, Compton led Kimble County law enforcement in Junction, TX on a high speed pursuit resulting in Compton crashing into a tree, and fleeing on foot. Compton alluded a local man-hunt in Kimble County, however, a rash of burglaries, theft of a firearm and a motor vehicle allowed Compton to allude law enforcement another day. On September 13th, the stolen vehicle was recovered in Guthrie, OK.

Kimble County Sheriff’s Department requested assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin. Task Force officers and Kimble County deputies initiated a man-hunt for Compton to include immediately enlisting the assistance of America’s Most Wanted. Early Saturday morning an anonymous tip resulted in the Texas Task Force contacting the U.S. Marshals Service in Seattle, Washington. Compton was arrested after he was ordered by law enforcement to surrender. A stolen vehicle from Hillsboro, Oregon was also recovered at the motel parking lot.

Compton was remanded to the custody of Cowlitz County Jail, Longview, Washington pending extradition to Kimble County, Junction, Texas.

LaFayette Collins, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is committed to hunting down criminals who have no regard for the rule of law. We are happy to be bringing back Rodney Lee Compton to Kimble County where he will certainly have his day in court”.