After more than a decade on the run, Anthony Lennon, one of Oklahoma’s ten most wanted fugitives, has been apprehended in New York state.
Lennon was arrested on multiple counts of possession of child pornography, a case that has haunted authorities in Moore for 13 years.
Lennon initially evaded arrest in March 2012 after being charged with possession of child pornography.
Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson described the materials found as “quite disturbing,” depicting violent rape and sexual assault of children, including infants.
Lennon, a convicted felon since 2008 on aggravated child porn charges, had been released on probation after entering a blind plea, according to Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austin.
Three years later, prosecutors sought to revoke his probation when Lennon was found with child pornography again.
He was arrested, bonded out, and subsequently disappeared.
Authorities say Lennon staged a violent robbery, abduction, and murder at the Super 8 Motel in Moore, where he worked, to mislead investigators.
Chief Gibson noted that Lennon took “elaborate steps such as using his own blood” to fake his death.
Lennon’s evasion lasted over a decade until authorities received new information about his whereabouts.
He was captured outside a grocery store in Canton, New York, just 20 miles from the Canadian border.
Authorities discovered Lennon, who holds a master’s degree in computer science, was living under the alias “Justin Phillips” and pursuing a Ph.D.
His true identity was confirmed through fingerprints.
Chief Gibson emphasized, “We will not stop. We will not lose focus, and no matter how long it takes, or how far you run, we will come for you.”
Lennon is charged with eight counts of child pornography and violating probation.
If convicted, he faces life in prison. District Attorney Austin stated, “Now, that he has been found, we will bring him to justice.”
U.S. Marshal Johnny Kuhlman from the Western District of Oklahoma remarked, “To me, the most important part is this represents a great deal to the nameless children that were victims impacted by this crime.”
Authorities have obtained a warrant for Lennon’s arrest for failure to register as a sex offender, and New York law enforcement is seeking additional charges.
Lennon is scheduled to be arraigned next week.