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Scranton, PA – U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today the arrest of
27-year old Joshua Baker in Manhattan, New York.
Baker was being sought on an arrest warrant dated October 20, 2012 and
signed by Magisterial District Judge John J. Hovan in Tunkhannock,
Pennsylvania.
On October 20, 2012, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) conducted an
investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a minor in Mehoopany
Township. As a result, an arrest warrant was issued against Baker, charging
him with the following offenses:
- 1 count of aggravated indecent without consent
- 1 count of aggravated indecent – forcible compulsion
- 1 count of corruption of minors – defendant age 18 or above
- 1 count of indecent assault without consent of other
- 1 count of indecent assault forcible compulsion
Baker fled the Mehoopany area in an attempt to elude law enforcement.
Baker was also being sought by Susquehanna County Probation and Parole
authorities on an arrest warrant dated October 24, 2012. The warrant charged
Baker with failure to comply with the terms of parole. Baker was on parole
for previous arrests, convictions, and sentences in 2004 for assault and
2011 for theft.
Shortly after the issuance of the arrest warrant, the PSP requested the
assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to locate and apprehend
Baker. This case was adopted by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task
Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania (M/PA).
U.S. Marshals based in Scranton investigated several leads on the possible
whereabouts of Baker. On October 24, U.S. Marshals developed information
that the fugitive may be traveling to New York City on a bus. Scranton
Marshals coordinated with the New York - New Jersey Port Authority Police
Department, who arrested Baker without incident when he arrived in
Manhattan. Baker will be arraigned in New York and awaits further
extradition back to Pennsylvania.
United States Marshal Martin J. Pane stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service is
committed to arresting fugitives charged with serious felony offenses,
especially those wanted for sex crimes against minors. By working with our
partners in state and local law enforcement, we will ensure they are
ultimately brought to justice”.
U.S. Marshals were assisted by several agencies that comprise its M/PA
Fugitive Task Force. This included officers from the Pennsylvania State
Police, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, and the Lackawanna
County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. Marshals were also assisted by the New York -
New Jersey Port Authority Police Department.
The capture of Baker demonstrates the effectiveness of U.S. Marshals Service
personnel in locating and arresting fugitives in a timely fashion. The
concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the
nation’s most dangerous and violent offenders.
Additional
information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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