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. |