U.S. Marshals Capture Most Wanted Sex Offender After 15 Years on the Run

Wheeling, WV – Late last night, members of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force in Wheeling, West Virginia arrested Dennis Russell Nagle, 59. 

Nagle has been one of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force’s (NOVFTF) most wanted fugitives since 2010.  In 2009, Nagle was found guilty of attempted gross sexual imposition in Trumbull County.  The victim of his offense was under the age of thirteen.

After being found guilty he was sentenced to 14 months in prison and was required to register as a sex offender upon his release.  In October 2010, Nagle failed to provide notice of his address and was charged in Richalnd County with failure to provide change of address as well as escape.  The NOVFTF began looking for Nagle once those warrants were issued.  

Sheriff Steve Sheldon of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office said, “This is an incredible example of the enduring partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the task force.  This fugitive thought he could run forever but law enforcement will never give up looking for those that victimize the community’s most vulnerable, our children.”  

Over the years Nagle has been featured as the Fugitive of the Week and highlighted during multiple releases of the NOVFTF’s most wanted fugitives.  Over the years, investigators followed up on multiple tips and leads that led the investigation to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and now West Virginia.

Late last night, members of the NOVFTF received information that Nagle may be hiding in Wheeling, WV.  Members of the task force in West Virginia immediately responded to the area.  As investigators made contact with Nagle, he attempted to conceal his identity by providing officers with a false name of Russell Keener but eventually confessed he was in fact Dennis Nagle.  

Nagle will remain in custody until he can be extradited back to Richland County, Ohio to face the pending charges against him.  Additionally, investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service in both northern Ohio and northern West Virginia will open an investigation into whether federal charges of violations of the Adam Walsh Act are appropriate.  

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This is the third case closed in two weeks of fugitives who have been on the run for more than 8 years, including two sex offenders.  Our reach is long, these fugitives were tracked to Louisiana, Florida and West Virginia.  The SPEAR Unit (Specialized Personnel for Enforcement, Apprehension & Recovery) will continue to work on these incredibly important cases and fugitives should be warned that we will find you, no matter how far or how long you run.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force Divisions – Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Lorain, Mansfield, Painesville, Toledo, and Youngstown. Cold Cases, Sex Offender Investigations and Missing Child Investigations.