U.S. Marshals in Virginia Arrest Linn County Sex Abuse Suspect

Cedar Rapids, IA – U.S. Marshals in Virginia on Wednesday arrested a man wanted on several sex abuse charges in Iowa. 

Jonathan Christopher Walton, 22, is wanted in Linn County in connection to multiple charges of sexual abuse (third-degree). Walton, who is from Virginia, is alleged to have traveled to Iowa to engage in a sexual relationship with a minor.

On March 12 investigators with the Marion Police Department contacted the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force requesting assistance in the location and apprehension of Walton. Task force officers began to follow up on leads throughout the state of Iowa and developed information indicating Walton had fled back to Virginia following the reports of abuse.  Officials began coordinating with the U.S. Marshals in Virginia. 

U.S. Marshals in Virginia on Wednesday narrowed their search to a residence located in Rice, Virginia.  U.S. Marshals approached the suspect shortly after 3 p.m. and Walton eventually surrendered to the officers.  Walton was arrested without incident and transported for processing.  He will remain in custody until extradition to Iowa.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the federal government’s primary agency for fugitive investigations. Nationwide, 60 local task forces are dedicated to violent crime reduction by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. These task forces also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. The Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Marion Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Corrections.