Pease arrested in Colorado after 70-day run from the law

A Byron man wanted by the U.S. Marshal Service on six accounts of felony sexual assault of a minor was taken into custody in Fort Collins, Colo. on Jan 9 after 70 days eluding arrest. 

Anthony Pease, 39, was on the run since a warrant was issued for his arrest on Nov. 1, when Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office first initiated the search for the fugitive. On Dec. 13, a verified sighting of Pease was reported to BHCSO in Byron, but he was able to evade arrest. 

“An extensive search for the fugitive was conducted by multiple agencies throughout Montana and Wyoming,” Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn reported in a press release. The U.S. Marshals, Fort Collins Police Department and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office ultimately made Pease’s arrest in Colorado on Friday. 

“Pease already had a signed waiver of extradition for previous crimes he had been found guilty of,” Blackburn said. “Pease will be returned to Wyoming custody for those crimes and to face additional charges.”

Blackburn noted that the investigation for Pease’s case is ongoing, with more charges expected to be forwarded to the county attorney. He thanked the police departments of Lovell, Cody, Powell and Greybull,  Big Horn County Dispatch, Big Horn County and Park County Search and Rescue, Park County Sheriff’s Office, Park County Sheriff Darrell Steward, the town and citizens of Byron, Byron Community Watch, Wyoming Highway Patrol and their Special Operations Group, Wyoming DCI’s Northwest Task Force, the U.S. Marshals of Montana and Wyoming, Lovell Fire Department, and Wyoming Game and Fish as well as various drone operators and private citizens who came forward to assist with the case. 

“This is an example of people coming together to protect the vulnerable in our community,” Blackburn said.