FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: |
June 27, 2005 |
Deputy U.S.
Marshal, Gerald Hotchkiss, District of South Carolina,
(803) 253-3964, or USMS Office of Public
Affairs (202) 307-9065 |
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ACCUSED MURDERER AND CHILD MOLESTER ADDED TO
U.S. MARSHALS 15 MOST WANTED FUGITIVES LIST |
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Washington, DC -
Daniel William Hiers, Jr. seemed to be a good cop, a faithful public servant for the city of
Charleston, South Carolina. But, he betrayed his badge in the worst way, using
it to gain the trust of a single mother with a young daughter, then allegedly
molesting the 10-year-old child over a period of months. On November 24, 2004, Hiers, 32, was arrested by the North Charleston Police Department for committing
lewd acts on a child under the age of 16 and was released on bond. He was
promptly suspended from the police force.
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The Dorchester County, SC Sheriff’s Department subsequently
filed additional charges against Hiers for first-degree criminal sexual conduct
with a minor. Hiers was scheduled to surrender on those charges on March 15, 2005, but failed to
meet his lawyer at the sheriff’s department. When Hiers’ mother looked for him
at his house, he was nowhere to be found. What was found in Hiers’ bedroom was
the body of his 24-year-old wife, Ludimila, killed with a gunshot to the head.
Neighbors observed Hiers leaving the house several hours before the gruesome
discovery was made. On March 31, 2005, the Goose Creek, SC Police Department
obtained an arrest warrant for Hiers, alleging that he murdered his wife.
Despite an intensive manhunt, South Carolina authorities have
been unable to locate Hiers, and requested the assistance of “Operation
Intercept”, a U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task force. The U.S. Marshals Service
has obtained a federal warrant for Hiers for unlawful flight to avoid
prosecution. Hiers is described as a white male, age 32, 6’03”, 210 pounds with
blues eyes and blond hair. He has eleven years of police experience, is trained
in the martial arts, and maintains a high level of fitness. He is believed to
be armed with a .40 caliber Glock pistol and may possess a bullet-resistant
vest. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward for information directly
leading to Hiers’ arrest.
“It is especially abhorrent when individuals sworn to uphold
the law commit such crimes. We will remain focused on seeing that this fugitive
is brought to justice,” said Marshals Service Director Benigno Reyna.
U.S. Marshals are the nation’s
primary fugitive hunting organization and capture more federal fugitives each
year than all other national law enforcement agencies combined. For more
information about the United States Marshals Service, please visit the web site
at
www.usmarshals.gov/.
See also
the Wanted Poster
for Daniel William Hiers, Jr.
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