U.S. Marshals Capture Three Teens Held on Violent Offenses who Escaped West Tennessee Youth Detention Center

Memphis, TN – The U.S. Marshals in the Western District of Tennessee announce the capture of three male juveniles, all 17-years-old, who escaped the Wilder Juvenile Detention Center in Fayette County, Tennessee. The three captured teens were being held on charges ranging from Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Assault to Felony Reckless Endangerment.

On March 11, 2023, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Wilder staff that three males were missing. While deputies were searching the area, a resident stated his vehicle was stolen. Video footage showed the vehicle leaving the Fayette County area. Fayette County Deputies requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis to assist in locating and apprehending the three escapees.

On March 14, the TRVFTF and Fayette County Deputies working in conjunction with the Metro Nashville Violent Crimes Unit were able to locate the stolen vehicle in Nashville, TN. The U.S. Marshals in Middle Tennessee were requested to assist. The USMS Middle Tennessee Joint Fugitive Task Force located and arrested the first juvenile at 354 Kothe Way in Antioch, TN.

On March 21, the TRVFTF was notified by the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office that a second escaped juvenile was found off Hicks Eden Road in Pleasant View, TN. According to Cheatham County, he faces additional charges unrelated to the escape.

Yesterday, March 30, the TRVFTF developed information that the last juvenile was in the Chattanooga area and requested the assistance of U.S. Marshals in East Tennessee. The USMS Smokey Mountain Fugitive Task Force, along with the Chattanooga Police Department, spotted the third teen during their investigation and arrested him without incident in the 1200 block of Grove Street in Chattanooga, TN.

The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis Police Officers, Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies, Jackson Police Officers, and the Tennessee Department of Corrections Special Agents. The primary mission of the Task Force is to arrest violent offenders and sexual predators.