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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: |
August 14, 2008 |
Kenny Abel, Deputy United States Marshal
Sherman, Texas (903) 868-2379 |
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Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force Arrests
Violent Fugitive |
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On
07/25/08, Preston Dewayne Hightower fled the Grayson County Justice Center
after being found guilty by a jury on three counts of Aggravated Sexual
Assault of a Child.
After nearly three weeks on the run, Preston Hightower was arrested in Sioux
Falls, South Dakota at a roofing job site by members of the U.S. Marshal’s
Sioux Falls Area Joint Fugitive Task Force. The search for Hightower led
from Texas to Oklahoma, to Arkansas, back to Southern Oklahoma Bryan County,
and finally to South Dakota were he was apprehended.
Agencies participating in the investigation and ultimate arrest were the
U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force, including Grayson
County District Attorney’s Investigators, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office,
Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, the Sioux
Falls Area Joint Fugitive Task Force, and the Eastern Iowa Fugitive Task
Force. Hightower was scheduled to air on America’s Most Wanted (AMW) this
Saturday night. The Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force would also like to
thank AMW for their assistance in the apprehension of Hightower.
Numerous friends and family members provided substantial assistance to
Hightower in his cross-country flight. At this time, four of these people
have been arrested for Hindering Apprehension. This part of the
investigation is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Both the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office and the United States
Attorney’s Office will aggressively pursue charges against parties who
hinder or obstruct efforts to capture fugitives. |
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