HILTONS, Va. (AP) — A man sought for four years on sexual-assault charges involving a child was captured within days after his case was featured on a national television show.
Charles “Chuckie” Walton, 35, was arrested Monday in southwest Virginia after a nine-hour foot chase — 73 hours after appearing for 15 seconds on “America’s Most Wanted.”
The U.S. Marshals Service in Roanoke said Mr. Walton was wearing nothing but shorts and socks when officers found him outside the trailer where he was living.
“They just chased him up and down the mountainside all day,” said Ron Donelson of the Marshals Service. “By the time they caught up with him, the bottoms of his socks were completely worn out.”
Mr. Walton had been visiting family and friends since early spring, Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman said. They apparently were not aware of the Pennsylvania charges.
In Pennsylvania, Mr. Walton is wanted in Lancaster County on charges of indecent assault, rape, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one count of corruption of a minor.
Police think he abused one child, beginning in August 1995 when the child was 6, through February 2003.
One credible lead was called into “America’s Most Wanted” at noon Sunday, said Jenna Griffiths, an associate producer of the Fox TV show.
“It’s pretty amazing that the guy has been on the run for years, and we basically caught him with just 15 seconds on the show,” she said. The show aired Saturday night.
Mr. Walton is being held without bond at a regional jail in Duffield until his arraignment today.
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