An Oklahoma man, previously convicted for child sex offenses, has been apprehended after 13 years on the run, having faked his death to evade capture.

Authorities in Canton, New York, took 49-year-old Anthony Lennon into custody on Thursday. Lennon had been living under the alias Justin Philips during his years of evasion.

Lennon had managed to stay under the radar since 2012 after orchestrating an elaborate hoax involving a staged death. This scheme included a dramatic and misleading crime scene at the Super 8 Motel in Moore, Oklahoma, where he worked. The scene, designed to suggest a violent abduction and robbery, featured large blood stains later confirmed to be Lennon’s, according to a statement from the Moore Police Department.

Moore Police Chief Gibson commented on the case, saying, “He went to great lengths,” and confirmed the authenticity of the blood at the mock crime scene. Gibson added, “Mr. Lennon may consider himself clever, but he’s not as intelligent as he believes,” as reported by Local 12.

Lennon’s flight from justice was prompted by mounting legal issues. In 2008, he received a 20-year suspended sentence for aggravated child pornography possession, as noted by the Moore Police Department.

— Moore Police Dept. (@MoorePolice) October 31, 2025

Lennon’s motive for fleeing stemmed from escalating legal trouble. MPD reported that in 2008, he was given a 20-year suspended sentence for the aggravated possession of child pornography.

Then, in March 2012, a task force discovered further child pornography, leading to his arrest. On the day of his arrest, Lennon allegedly executed an elaborate vanishing act.

During his time as a fugitive, Lennon was reportedly a student at a local university in Canton, pursuing a doctorate in computer science. Law enforcement is currently conducting investigations in New York to determine if Lennon committed any additional crimes while evading capture, according to Local 12.

Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austen expressed hope for a severe sentence now that Lennon is in custody.

“Hopefully, now we can sentence Mr. Lennon to prison, and he can be there for the rest of his life because these crimes carry up to life, and there will be no more children harmed by him,” Austen said.

Anthony Lennon: Timeline of Events

2008: Lennon receives a 20-year suspended sentence after being convicted of aggravated possession of child pornography.

2012: A task force discovers additional child pornography, leading to Lennon’s arrest.

March 201: Lennon stages an elaborate disappearance, faking his own death at a Super 8 Motel where he worked, leaving behind a large amount of his own blood. He goes into hiding.

2012–2025 (13 Years): Lennon evades law enforcement, living under the alias “Justin Philips” and reportedly pursuing a computer science doctorate at New York University in Canton.

Thursday Night (10/30): Anthony Lennon is successfully apprehended in Canton, by law enforcement.

Presently, Lennon is charged with an open count of murder (related to his faked death staging) and tampering with evidence.

Authorities are investigating to determine if he committed further crimes while a fugitive.

[Feature Photos via Moore PD]