Tattoo-covered sex offender captured in D.C.
PETERSBURG, Va. — A convicted sex offender with tattoos on his face was captured in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday after being wanted for failing to report to a transitional center in Texas, U.S. Marshals said.
Matthew Stager, 44, was released from the Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg, Va., on Feb. 2. He was supposed to self-report to a transitional center in Austin on the same day, but he never showed up in Texas.
Stager signed a form acknowledging that he was still in the custody of the bureau of prisons until his projected release date in July. The form also said he could be charged with escape if he failed to report to the Austin Transitional House as directed.
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He was last seen at Richmond (Va.) International Airport on Feb. 2 after failing to make his scheduled flight to Austin.
"Thanks to the extensive media coverage, U.S. Marshals received numerous tips 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."
Stager, who has tattoos on his face, head and neck, was seen walking down the street about 4 p.m. ET near the D.C. Superior Court by two Washington police officers. He was taken into custody without incident.
Washington is about 130 miles northeast of Petersburg.
Stager was convicted in North Carolina in 1999 of indecent liberties with a minor and was required to register as a sex offender for life.
He has a history of drug abuse and mental health concerns, according to U.S. Marshals.
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