Convicted 'Ten Most Wanted’ fugitive faked bloody death, resurfaced as student before capture: authorities
Share and Follow

A notorious sex offender, once listed among Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives, has finally been apprehended after allegedly staging his own death and registering at a New York university under an assumed identity.

Anthony Lennon was captured in Canton, New York, last week following almost 13 years of evading law enforcement, as announced by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Lennon faced conviction in 2008 on child pornography charges, receiving a 20-year suspended sentence at that time.

A photo of Anthony Lennon's arrest in New York

The fugitive was apprehended in New York last week after spending 13 years on the run, having eluded capture for alleged sex crimes in Oklahoma.

In 2012, the search for Lennon intensified when authorities discovered he was allegedly in possession of more child pornography. Investigators reportedly uncovered evidence at his residence, including chat logs, external storage devices, and explicit videos involving children.

As authorities closed in on the Super 8 Motel in Moore, Oklahoma, to arrest Lennon on additional charges, they realized that he had “staged an elaborate and bloody abduction and robbery scene, leaving behind falsified evidence to make it appear he had been abducted,” according to officials.

After successfully evading arrest, Lennon remained on the run for 13 years.

Anthony Lennon's mugshot in Oklahoma

Anthony Lennon was previously convicted of numerous child pornography charges in Oklahoma, and was one of the state’s “Ten Most Wanted” fugitives. (U.S. Marshals Service )

“He went to extremes, and we did determine that the large amount of blood at the staged crime scene actually was his,” Moore Poli​​ce Chief Todd Gibson said in a news conference, according to People.

While on the run, Lennon allegedly adopted the alias “Justin Phillips,” and was enrolled in college at the State University of New York at Canton at the time of his arrest, NNY360 reported. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Lennon had previously earned a master’s degree in computer science and was working to obtain a doctorate at the time of his disappearance.

Detectives subsequently interviewed Lennon under his alias and used fingerprint analysis to confirm his identity, police said. He was taken into custody in New York and is awaiting extradition to Oklahoma, People reported.

A photo of Anthony Lennon's arrest in New York

Anthony Lennon was allegedly living in New York under the alias “Justin Phillips” at the time of his capture, according to authorities. (U.S. Marshals Service )

Authorities are also working to determine if Lennon committed any additional crimes while on the run, according to 7News.

“This case remains active and under investigation,” the U.S. Marshals Service said in a statement. “But with his capture we can now begin the process of holding Lennon accountable for the crimes he committed against children in our community.”

The U.S. Marshals Service did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Shooting at an Oklahoma State University residence hall wounds at least 3 people

Breaking News: Suspect Apprehended at Birmingham Crime Scene – Full Story Inside

The Birmingham Police Department has made an arrest following a tragic shooting…
NC plane crash: Passenger texted family member ahead of crash that killed Greg Biffle and family, NTSB says

NTSB Report: Passenger Sent Final Message to Family Before Fatal North Carolina Plane Crash Involving Greg Biffle and Family

The tragic plane crash in North Carolina continues to raise unresolved questions…
22-year-old man dies after Birmingham shooting, suspect in custody

Tragic Birmingham Shooting Claims Life of 22-Year-Old; Suspect Apprehended

In Birmingham, Alabama, a suspect has been apprehended following a deadly shooting…
Deckhand says he WAS driving speedboat that killed Kirsty MacColl

Deckhand Reveals He Was at the Helm in Kirsty MacColl’s Tragic Speedboat Accident

Twenty-five years have passed since the tragic death of iconic British singer…
High-flying exec raped me in 'Mad Men' office horror show: lawsuit

Lawsuit Alleges Disturbing Assault by Top Executive in Corporate Office

An executive from a multi-million-dollar company is accused of sexually assaulting his…
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heckled at Bondi vigil week after Hanukkah terrorist attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Faces Disruption at Bondi Vigil Following Recent Hanukkah Terror Incident

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced a hostile reception upon his return to…
Power restored to most in San Francisco after massive outage

San Francisco Bounces Back: Power Restored to Majority After Widespread Outage

On Sunday morning, power was successfully restored to the majority of the…
What I tried to do to my married boss at the Xmas party is inexcusable

Scandal Unwrapped: Employee’s Inexcusable Behavior Towards Married Boss at Office Christmas Party

Dear Jane, I made a complete fool of myself at our company…