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SCOTT COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — On Saturday, the U.S. Marshals Service revealed that a wanted man, accused of child rape in North Carolina, was apprehended along with an endangered child near Scott County, Virginia.
According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service, William Martin was sought on charges of first-degree rape of a child, based on a warrant issued in Caldwell County, North Carolina.
The release explains that the case reached the area when the U.S. Marshals for the Western District of Virginia (Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force) received a tip on Friday from the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, suggesting that Martin might be located in Scott County.
“Members of the task force immediately reacted and began investigation, which resulted in confirmation that the fugitive had been in Scott County, Virginia and was likely in the accompaniment of a minor child with limited verbal skills,” the release states.
The investigation reportedly then intensified once the task force learned more investigative findings and determined that a child was endangered, according to the release.
Information was then distributed to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, the Kingsport Police Department (KPD), the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the U.S. Marshals, THP, KPD and Sullivan County investigators located and arrested Martin without incident and recovered the child. The exact location Martin was found at was not specified.
“The mission of the U.S. Marshals Service, and its partners in our task forces, is to apprehend those wanted for the most violent and heinous crimes and protect our most vulnerable citizens,” stated acting United States Marshal Matt Davis in the release. “The true strength of law enforcement in protecting our communities is our collaboration, as the men and women who wear the uniform in our local and state agencies, truly are the front-line heroes. This is a prime example of how these task forces, of partnerships, serve as the most effective mechanism to fight violent crime in our communities and protect the innocent. We sincerely appreciate each of our partners for their commitment to the safety of the communities they serve.”