Oklahoma Sex Offender Arrested, Faces Federal Charge

Anthony Lennon, a convicted Oklahoma child sex offender who had been on the run for 13 years, was arrested in Canton, New York, living under the alias Justin Philips while enrolled at a local college pursuing advanced computer science study. Lennon was convicted in 2008 of aggravated possession of child pornography—investigators say roughly 50 gigabytes of images were found—and received a suspended sentence; additional child pornography discovered led to new charges in March 2012, after which he fled. Authorities say Lennon staged an elaborate disappearance at the Super 8 motel where he worked, leaving pools of his blood, a shoe and other evidence that were later tied to him. U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement identified him through fingerprints and arrested him; a federal complaint also charges him with failing to register as a sex offender. Oklahoma officials, including Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson and Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austen, said they will seek a severe sentence.