Oklahoma Sex Offender Found 13 Years After Alleged Abduction Plot, Enrolled in NY College
An Oklahoma sex offender, Anthony Lennon, has been apprehended after evading authorities for 13 years. He had allegedly faked his own abduction in 2012 to escape further legal troubles. Lennon’s arrest occurred last week in New York, where he had enrolled in college under a false identity.
Background on Anthony Lennon
Lennon, aged 44, was previously convicted in 2008 on multiple charges related to child pornography. His legal troubles began when authorities discovered 50 gigabytes of illicit images on his computer. He pleaded guilty in 2010 and was released on a suspended sentence.
Abduction and Disappearance
In March 2012, eight additional charges of possession of child pornography were filed against Lennon. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, police learned from his employer that he had gone missing under suspicious circumstances. The investigation revealed blood at the scene, alongside items that suggested a staged crime scene.
Efforts to Locate Lennon
The Moore Police Department collaborated with the U.S. Marshals Service to find Lennon. Despite numerous leads over the years, including activity linked to an Amazon account in North Carolina, Lennon remained elusive.
Life Under a False Identity
Reports indicate that Lennon assumed the alias “Justin Phillips” and lived in New York. He enrolled in the engineering science program at the State University of New York at Canton starting in the fall of 2024. Initially unknown to the college under his true identity, Lennon attempted to procure a passport under his alias.
Arrest and Immediate Consequences
- Date of arrest: Last week in New York.
- Alias used: Justin Phillips.
- University enrolled: SUNY Canton.
- Plan: Initially a student in the engineering program.
After his arrest, university officials confirmed there was no record of Lennon’s previous identity. He was barred from returning to campus shortly after the incident.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
As of now, it remains unclear where Lennon is being held. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has not commented on the situation. No records of requests for extradition have appeared as of the latest updates.
This case underscores the challenges involved in tracking down those who evade justice, especially individuals with a history of serious offenses like Lennon.
