Matthew Stager
PETERSBURG, Va. -- Matthew Stager, a convicted sex offender wanted by U.S. Marshals has been captured in Washington D.C. Wednesday.
"Thanks to the extensive media coverage, U.S. Marshals received numerous throughout the day with several reported sightings of Stager in Washington D.C," said Deputy U.S. Marshal Chris Leuer. "U.S. Marshals followed up on all tips, and worked with the Metropolitan Police Department to canvass D.C. in an effort to locate Stager."
At approximately 4:00pm Stager was observed walking down the street near the D.C. Superior Court by two Metropolitan Police Department officers.
Stager is currently in the custody of U.S. Marshals in Washington D.C., pending transfer to Richmond, Virginia, to face the escape charge.
Matthew Stager, 44, was wanted by U.S. Marshals after failing to self-report to a transitional center after his release from prison earlier this month.
He was released from the Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg on Feb. 2.
He was given a one-day furlough to travel to Austin, Texas and signed a form acknowledging that he was he was still in the custody of the bureau of prisons until his projected release date in July.
His signature acknowledged that he could be charged with escape should he fail to report to the Austin Transitional House as directed. He was last seen at the Richmond International Airport on Feb. 2 after failing to make his scheduled flight to Austin as required.
Stager has not shown up since and his current whereabouts are unknown, according to U.S. Marshals.
His last known location was in Petersburg. He has no specific ties to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, but authorities said he may have recently traveled through that part of the state.
Stager has connections in multiple states around the country, they added.
Stager is a convicted sex offender and has a history of drug abuse and mental health concerns, according to U.S. Marshals.
He was convicted in NC in 1999 of indecent liberties with a minor and was required to register as a sex offender for life.
He is described as a white or Hispanic male, 5’8″ tall, 145 pounds, with blonde or strawberry hair, green eyes and dozens of facial tattoos.
