U.S. Marshals in Wyo. Turn to Facebook to Help Catch Fugitives
The Wyoming offices of the U.S. Marshals' Department have recently taken to facebook in an attempt to spread the word about fugitives in the Wyoming area.
The U.S. Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency with district offices in Wyoming listed in Cheyenne, Casper, Lander, Jackson, and Mammoth Hot Springs. The Marshals provide security for federal courts, transport prisoners, protect witnesses and seek fugitives, among other duties.
The District Headquarters in Cheyenne launched the facebook page in February, hoping to spread information to the public about fugitives int the state of Wyoming. Deputy U.S. Marshal Justin Stephenson says that a lot of branches of the U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Task Force have turned to facebook. "It's a good way to push information out to a lot of people," says Deputy Stephenson, "There's obvious a lot of people on facebook. That's why we've started using it. It's a great tool. A lot of eyes out there looking for people."
In the month that the facebook page has been active, Deputy Stephenson says that he's happy with the feedback. "We've certainly gotten tips on a lot of people. Not only people on the facebook page, but other fugitives as well."
Currently, the U.S. Marshals' Service is seeking information on this man, 45-year-old David Bonness.
Bonness is 5'9" and 180 pounds. According to the Wyoming Most Wanted Facebook page, Bonness was last seen in Ft. Laramie, Wyoming in 2009. He is wanted on a warrant out of South Dakota for "7 counts of second degree rape, 3 counts of 3rd degree rape, 4 counts of 4th degree rape and 1 count of sexual contact with a child under 16."
Bonness is said to have family in the Lingle, Ft. Laramie and Torrington areas.
The Marshals Service asks people with information on Bonness' whereabouts to contact the silent witness tip line at 307-638-TIPS (8477), the US Marshal Service at 307-772-2196, or you can e-mail tips to wyomingsmostwanted@gmail.com . You may be eligible for a reward and may remain anonymous.
Marshals urge that if you see Bonness please do not approach and contacted the nearest law enforcement agency.