SOFAST Task Force Arrests Fugitive on Run for 16 Years

James M. Wahlrab, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio announces the arrest of John Chapman. Chapman was wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for violation of parole. Chapman was on parole due to original charges of conspiracy and drug trafficking. In 1991, Chapman’s whereabouts became unknown and he was declared a fugitive.

The fugitive hunting, multi-agency task force known as the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) which is led by the U.S. Marshals Service, began investigating the case early this morning. Acting on tips from confidential sources, the SOFAST task force located Chapman at approximately 1200 pm this afternoon at a home in Wilmington, Ohio. When confronted by task force officers, Chapman provided a false identity. Unfortunately for Chapman, his past arrest records contained descriptions of his numerous tattoos, which Marshals quickly matched, confirming Chapman’s true identity.

A search of Chapman’s home located additional false identification cards. Chapman was taken into custody and transported to the Clinton County Sheriffs Department.

The U.S. Marshals Service was America’s first federal law enforcement agency and each year arrests more fugitives than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined.

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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency