MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Mountain State Fugitive Task Force located and arrested a man on the run from a drug conspiracy indictment.
U.S. Marshals say Michael Payton, 34 of Martinsburg, was among 16 people wanted for distribution of heroin and cocaine last March.
Payton began hiding after violating his federal probation. Previous efforts to located Payton in the Eastern Panhandle, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey were unsuccessful.
On July 10th, U.S. Marshals found Payton in the 1700 block of Junkins Avenue in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
“Individuals committing serious crimes many times think they can flee the area or state they committed their crimes in to avoid capture,” said U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia J.C. Raffety. “They greatly underestimate the relentless nature and resources our Deputies have to find them.”
Payton has been transported back to Martinsburg to face federal charges.