Ohio Juvenile Recovered by River Valley Task Force

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For Immediate Release	Contact:
January 16, 2009	Western District of Arkansas - Johnny Larkin Inspector and Public Affairs Officer (479) 783-5215 USMS Headquarters Public Affairs (202) 307-9065

Ohio Juvenile Recovered by River Valley Task Force

Fort Smith, AR - On 1/15/09, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, in Van Buren, AR received information there was a possible run-away victim from Columbus, Ohio in the Van Buren area staying with a man by the name of William Coles, a 39 year old white male.

The River Valley Task Force is comprised of the Crawford Co. Sheriff’s Office, Sebastian Co. Sheriff’s Office, Van Buren Police Department, State Probation & Parole, and U.S. Marshals Service. Officers went to Coles’ residence and recovered the 17 year old female run-away victim.

Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office in Columbus, OH started the investigation. They found the juvenile’s vehicle with her personal affects still in the car. This made it appear to the detectives in Ohio they were dealing with an abduction case. After interviews, it was determined the victim met a man by the name of William Coles online through a social network. Investigators gathered information showing Coles had recently traveled to Columbus, OH, and then immediately back to Van Buren, AR. Coles’ residence was under surveillance and officers saw the female exit a vehicle and enter the residence. She was recovered without incident. Coles was arrested on the charge of Interference with Child Custody, and the Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is investigating further charges.

The River Valley Sex Offender and Violent Fugitive Task Force came into existence in October 2007, and since that time has been responsible for over 550 arrests. The task force was formed through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office is the administrator of the grant. In 2008, U.S. Marshals Service led fugitive task forces arrested more than 73,000 state and local fugitives nationwide and in addition arrested more than 36,000 federal fugitives. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.