U.S. Marshals and Lake Havasu P.D. Capture Child Molester

Phoenix, AZ – The United States Marshals Service (USMS) deputies and Lake Havasu City Police Department detectives hunted down a wanted sex offender hiding in the tourist town of Lake Havasu City. Barry Bult, wanted for Parole Violation in South Dakota, was captured while at work earlier today. He had been living with a friend he met while in prison. Also living in the house was the friend’s two minor children. It is unclear if the friend knew the severity of Bult’s criminal history, but the Lake Havasu P.D. Sex Crimes Unit is investigating whether or not Bult had any misconduct with the children.

In 1986, Bult sexually molested a 4-year boy in South Dakota. He was convicted in 1991 of Sexual Contact with a Child and served 15 years of a 25 year sentence. He was paroled in 2001, but was arrested in 2003 for violating that parole. He was released in May of 2006 and went into hiding in Lake Havasu City without notifying his Parole Officer or registering as a Sex Offender there.

Under the newly formed Adam Walsh Act that was signed into law on the 25th anniversary of Adam Walsh’s abduction and murder; the USMS will charge Bult federally with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The United States Marshals has primary authority for apprehending sex offenders who fail to register or otherwise comply with the statute. “The USMS is taking immediate steps to address the apprehension of fugitives like Bult
whom prey on children”, says Deputy Matt Hershey, lead investigator for the U.S. Marshals Sex Offender Program.

In addition, the new law creates federal standards for the registration of sex offenders and requires more stringent supervision of registered sex offenders. Furthermore, sexual predators would be charged with a federal felony if they fail to register with their local authorities.

United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of deputies and law enforcement officers adding, “The USMS will waste no time in going after these predators that prey on children. Lake Havasu City’s cooperation in this matter helped lead to the capture of a dangerous man and is greatly appreciated.”

For further information about the U.S. Marshals: www.usmarshals.gov.