MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The U.S. Marshals say they recovered a missing West Virginia child in
Washington, D.C., and arrested a man wanted in connection with the child’s disappearance.
An arrest warrant was issued September 19th for Johnte Fitzhugh for felony concealment or removal
of a minor child from custodian. The Berkeley County
Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task
Force in locating Fitzhugh and recovering the missing child.
“Upon receipt of this case, task force members quickly developed information that Fitzhugh was
in Washington and sent a collateral lead to the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive
Task Force, who arrested Fitzhugh in the 100 block of Wayne Place SE without incident. The
missing child was also located and safely recovered a short time later,” according to a
press release from the US Marshal’s Office, which says the arrest occurred September 20th.
“The fact that the fugitive and missing child were located within 24 hours of the issuance of the
warrant is a direct result of the relationship we have with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office,”
said Terry Moore, acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. “Sheriff
Harmon understands our mission and his support of our fugitive task force continues to impact
our community in a positive manner.”
Since 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service has recovered more than 2,300 missing children. The
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the U.S. Marshals’ authority to assist
federal, state and local law enforcement with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted
children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. The Marshals
established a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced
authority under the act.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov