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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: |
August 29, 2008 |
Warren Anderson, U. S. Marshal (605)
330-4351;
USMS Headquarters Public Affairs (202) 307-9065 |
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Man Thought To Have Drowned While Fishing in
Arkansas
Arrested in Yankton, South Dakota for Fraud and Embezzlement |
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Sioux Falls, SD - Deputy Marshals from
South Dakota, Yankton County Sheriff’s Deputies and Yankton Police
Department arrested an Arkansas missing man on August 29th in Yankton after
a manhunt that began in February 2008, shortly after subject faked his own
drowning.
At approximately 1:15 p.m., Matthew Alan Sheppard, 42, of Searcy, AK, was
arrested on a warrant out of Arkansas for felony Fraud and Embezzlement,
after receiving a tip from the U. S. Marshals Service Eastern Arkansas
Fugitive Task Force that Sheppard may be hiding in the area.
On February 17, 2008, Sheppard’s wife reported her husband fell into the
Little Red River from a dock outside of Herber Springs, AK, after reaching
over a handrail to try to grab the collar of his Labrador retriever after
the dog had fallen in the water. Sheppard’s wife was able to later rescue
the dog.
Rescuers from numerous agencies worked for three and a half days searching
the river which included dragging, using sonar and sending divers in the
deeper areas.
Sheppard’s employer, Eaton Corp.’s Searcy plant, had suspicions about
Sheppard’s discrepancies with his expense report. Sheppard is accused of
stealing thousands of dollars from his employer. Sheppard disappeared
shortly after finding out Eaton officials told Sheppard of the discrepancies
in his report and wanted to speak with him. Sheppard was the environmental
health and safety manager for the plant. |
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