UPDATE: A man long sought after by authorities has been apprehended after 13 years on the run. Anthony Lennon, who was on Oklahoma’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List, was captured outside a grocery store in Canton, New York, where he had been living under the radar.
U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma, Johnny Kuhlman, confirmed the arrest, stating, “Let’s just say that he’s been very good at evading justice.” Lennon had been convicted in 2008 for possession of child pornography but received only probation. However, in March 2012, he violated that probation by accessing a computer, which led to the discovery of additional illegal materials on his electronic devices.
Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson detailed the alarming findings, stating, “In March 2012, our worst fears were confirmed. We did discover additional child pornography and exploitive images.” Following this, Lennon faced eight counts of felony possession of child pornography and was believed to have staged his own robbery and kidnapping from his former workplace, a Super 8 Motel in Moore, to escape law enforcement.
Authorities never believed Lennon was deceased or a victim of a crime. Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austin emphasized, “We believed he was trying to evade capture and attempting to not be brought to justice.” For over a decade, investigators relentlessly pursued him, tracking his trail of aliases across the country.
In a coordinated effort, local Deputy U.S. Marshals and the New York-New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force closed in on him. Kuhlman stated, “They traveled to New York to continue this investigation.” Lennon was arrested as he attended classes at a local university.
Now in custody, Lennon faces federal charges for failing to register as a sex offender, alongside the existing charges in Oklahoma. Austin indicated that further charges may be forthcoming. “We will have to work together with our partners in the federal system to determine basically who gets to go first,” she said.
As Lennon awaits extradition back to Oklahoma, this case signifies a long-awaited resolution for law enforcement and the community. It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against child exploitation and the lengths some will go to evade justice.
Stay tuned for updates on Lennon’s impending legal proceedings and potential additional charges as this story develops.
