Cleveland, OH – U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott announces that the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) has arrested fugitive Nathan Summerfield, age 27, this morning in Wadsworth, OH. Summerfield, who was an Ashland, OH resident, is wanted for the murder of Lynn Jackenheimer, which took place on July 3rd in Dare County (Outer Banks), North Carolina. Summerfield has been on the run since early July and the case has received national media attention to include airings on America’s Most Wanted.

In early July, the U.S. Marshal’s office in Greenville, NC received the murder warrant from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office and then contacted the NOVFTF to request assistance in the fugitive investigation for Summerfield, as it related to Northern Ohio.

The NOVFTF has worked diligently on this investigation over the last 6 weeks, teaming up with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Ashland Police Department, along with other Task Force partner agencies to follow up on all leads and continue the fugitive investigation within Northern Ohio. Summerfield’s photo was published in local and national media, and also on digital billboards across several states. The NOVFTF received hundreds of tips, all of which were followed up by U.S. Marshals across the nation to include but not limited to Ohio, North Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

This morning, at approximately 9:30 a.m., all the hard work of the NOVFTF paid off when Summerfield was found hiding within the Northern District of Ohio. Early this morning, the NOVFTF developed information that placed Summerfield at the Legacy Inn & Suites at 810 High Street in Wadsworth, OH. The NOVFTF gathered an arrest team to include Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers from the NOVFTF Richland County Division and NOVFTF Akron Division, as well as officers from the Wadsworth Police Department. The NOVFTF was able to confirm that Summerfield was in a room at the hotel and had checked in yesterday under an alias. Officers made entry into the room and arrested Summerfield without incident. Summerfield was transported to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office to await extradition to North Carolina to face the murder charges.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This has been an intensive investigation following a horrible crime. We are extremely relieved and thankful that the time and effort poured into this manhunt has resulted in the safe capture of Nathan Summerfield and this hopefully brings some relief and justice to the family and friends of Lynn Jackenheimer.”

Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner stated, “This was a great coordinated effort by all the law enforcement partners involved. It is truly great to see the response and dedication that these officers put forward when tragedy struck family and friends within our county.”

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Municipal Probation, Ashland Police Department, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Butler Police Department, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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