The U.S. Marshals Service announced Thursday that a Mississippi man believed to have faked his death almost two years ago to avoid child rape charges has been arrested in Oklahoma.
Jacob Blair Scott, 43, is accused of faking his suicide to avoid jail time for charges of child rape, according to a U.S. Marshals news release. He was added to the U.S. Marshals' "15 Most Wanted" fugitive list Wednesday, and by midnight Thursday, local sheriff's deputies and marshals found him at an RV park in Antlers, Oklahoma.
“Within hours of our announcement and our plea to the public for information, a tipster called the Pushmataha Sheriff's Office in Oklahoma and said a man fitting the description of Jacob Scott was staying in an RV park,” said Inspector Jeremy Stilwell, the lead investigator on the case for the U.S. Marshals.
Scott faces a 14-count indictment, which includes charges of sexual battery, touching a child for lustful purposes and exploitation of a child. It is believed that Scott hid from authorities to avoid prosecution for allegedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter.
“Jacob Scott stands accused of unspeakable crimes against a child,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington. “The Marshals will leave no stone unturned until we bring him to justice.”
In 2018, the Mississippi man reportedly did not appear at a scheduled court hearing. Later, in July 2018, Scott’s abandoned boat was found along the Orange Beach, Alabama, coast. After searching the vessel, police uncovered a gun and a suicide note, but there was little forensic evidence for Scott. His remains were never found.
Authorities later discovered Scott had withdrawn $45,000 from a bank account before his disappearance. The money was never recovered.
The military veteran and survivalist received a Purple Heart in 2011 for injuries sustained while deployed in Iraq. U.S. Marshals Service officials believe his military background and knowledge of the outdoors may have enabled him to live off the grid for so long.
Scott is being held at the Pittsburg County Jail in Oklahoma awaiting extradition to Mississippi.
The swift arrest of Scott after the public plea for help locating him made for one of the most expedient captures in U.S. Marshals Service history, said Jeff Tyler, U.S. Marshals assistant director for investigative operations.
“This all-out media blitz led to a critical citizen tip that ultimately resulted in the fastest apprehension of a fugitive in the 37-year history of the 15 Most Wanted program,” he said.
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