The idea for the operation came from Sheriff Gene Kelly and his deputies brainstorming ways to reach suspects who evade the law, Kelly said.
“You have to get creative and I think that the individuals we’re dealing with, if they see an opportunity to get some kind prize or unclaimed funds they will try to take advantage,” he said.
The sheriff’s office mailed letters posted from the “Bureau of Unclaimed Funds” that read: “We at the Bureau of Unclaimed Funds have been commissioned to assist local citizens like you in returning funds that have been withheld from you without your approval or knowledge.”
It was the first time the sheriff’s office has used such a tactic, Kelly said.
Two people showed up at the fake bureau, which was set up in an empty storefront of a strip mall on East National Road.
Tracey Stewart, 50, was wanted not not paying child support. When she was arrested, Stewart said she suspected all along it was a setup.
“I knew what it was cause I told everybody if, ‘I’m going to jail come and get me,’” Stewart said.
She also said the letter and the way the sting happened wasn’t fair.
The sting was part of a national campaign called the the Family Violence Apprehension Detail, Kelly said. Law enforcement across the country are targeting people wanted for domestic violence or failure to pay child support.
“Several of these individuals have outstanding warrants and histories of violence, carrying weapons and so these are the individuals we want in our community to be adjudicated and be held accountable,” Kelly said.
Others arrested in Clark County as part of the detail include: Nathaniel Byrd, 33, non-support warrant; Lorie Dyer, 32, non-support warrant; Christopher Neu, 33, non-support warrant and failure to appear on operating a motor vehicle intoxicated; Elizabeth Pinks, 31, non-support warrant; Preice Staten, 31, non-support warrant; and Nicholas Waltz, 43, violation of protection order warrant, according to the sheriff’s office.
Those arrested had outstanding bonds that totaled $90,000, investigators said.
All were booked into the Clark County Jail and are scheduled to be arraigned later this week, according to court records.
About the Author