MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP — Federal fugitive Shawn Christy was finally captured on Friday afternoon following a six-day manhunt in Richland County, local authorities confirmed to Richland Source.
U.S. Marshal Brian Fitzgibbons confirmed that Christy was captured alive.
Local law enforcement was stopping vehicles in the Crider Road area and checking trunks after 2 p.m. on Friday. Christy was reportedly captured near the Camp Mowana area.
A press conference has been called for 6 p.m. Richland Source will carry it on Facebook Live, so be sure to check out the Facebook channel here.
Authorities believe Christy stole a pickup in the early morning hours of Sept. 16 from Skitco Iron Works in Hazelton Township, Pennsylvania. They believe he crashed the stolen vehicle near the I-71 and Ohio 13 interchange near Mansfield that night and set off on foot in the region.
The U.S. Marshals, FBI, U.S. Secret Service and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies in northern Ohio converged on the area to find the Pennsylvania man wanted for threatening the president and other elected officials.
Authorities say Christy, 26, of McAdoo, Pennsylvania, has multiple state arrest warrants in Pennsylvania for burglary, probation violation, and failure to appear for an aggravated assault case.
A federal warrant was issued June 19 for Christy in relation to Facebook threats to the Northampton County district attorney, stating, “Keep it up Morganelli, I promise I’ll put a bullet in your head as soon as I put one in the head of President Donald J. Trump.” Christy has threatened to use “full lethal force on any law enforcement officer that tries to detain me.”
Christy was on the run since June 20, leading law enforcement on a chase through New York, Canada, West Virginia, Maryland, back into Pennsylvania and then into Ohio on Sunday.
Federal authorities were offering a cash award of up to $20,000 for information leading to the direct arrest of Christy.
Christy fancied himself a survivalist but authorities coordinated and focused their search on him in north central Ohio all week.
Area residents were on high alert all week as authorities urged them to remain vigilant and report anything they found suspicious, such as food, water, clothing or other necessities suddenly missing from homes, storage areas or garages.
On Friday, Christy’s father, Craig Christy encouraged his son to turn himself into Dog (Duane) Chapman the Bounty Hunter via Facebook.
“Shawn Christy, need you to call 570-225-8675.Need you to turn yourself in to Dog Chapman Bounty Hunter. Lawyers and Bailbondsman will be provided,” the post said.
Later Friday, Craig Christy posted again. This time with screenshots of messages from Shawn.
“Shawn, this is Dad, in the event you encounter law enforcement, please listen to commands they give you,” Craig Christy wrote. “The FBI, Secret Service and the rest of law enforcement wants a safe ending… Pack it in son, you proved your point. Mom and I and thousands in our group Shawn Christy Political Prisoner love and support you.”
In the messages, he encouraged his son to call so that he could get him in touch with Chapman.
“I’ll be in touch,” Shawn Christy said, according to the screenshots.
