Global Courant 2023-05-25 22:47:42
FIRST ON FOX – A fugitive wanted on charges of child trafficking allegedly “manipulated and physically, emotionally, psychologically and sexually abused a number of young girls” in the St. Louis area for years, the FBI told Fox in an exclusive interview News Digital.
The FBI added Donald Eugene Fields II to its ten most-wanted fugitives list on Thursday, more than doubling its usual tip reward as the agency hunts for the alleged predator.
A federal arrest warrant was issued against Fields in December for allegedly trafficking in at least one victim between 2013 and 2017, but “where we find one victim, traditionally we will find many, many victims of assault, sexual abuse, rape and sodomy,” it said. Jay Greenberg, Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s St. Louis Field Office.
Some of the girls allegedly sexually assaulted by Fields were only 11 years old when it started, and “I can tell you what a trauma it is when someone stays with them all their lives when they’re young,” he said.
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The gruesome nature of his alleged crimes and the fact that investigators believe he is still in the US and may still be active in the area is why the FBI added him to its list of Ten Most Wanted fugitives on Thursday.
“He poses an acute danger to young girls in that area,” Greenberg said. “He was known for working for a number of money jobs. He’s been a tree pruner, he’s worked on cars, he’s worked in resale shops.
“We think he’s probably pushing for cash jobs, and someone knowingly or unknowingly is funding his run from justice, so we want to make sure we share all the details about his alleged crimes.”
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Donald Eugene Fields II seen in 2018, left, and his signature tribal tattoo on his shoulder. (FBI)
Fields has a “really distinctive tribal tattoo on his shoulder”, frequents casinos and has connections all over Missouri, but has spent much of his time in Franklin and Phelps counties in the northeastern part of the state, as well as Indiana, Kentucky and Florida , according to Greenberg.
“He’s talked about trying to cross the border into Mexico,” Greenberg said, but investigators believe he’s still in the US. “We know he likes going to casinos and riding motorcycles… be your lucky day.”
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The reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction could be as high as $250,000, more than double previous rewards to further incentivize the public to send tips.
That will be the new precedent, said Jose Perez, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.
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“The goal of the program is awareness, publicity for these violent individuals who are currently free,” Perez said. “We’re trying to get the public’s help and the public’s attention to look out for some of these individuals.
“And by increasing the reward, it will increase awareness, increase interest, and possibly increase motivation for someone in the general public to provide us with information.”
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The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List began in March 1950 and Fields is the 531st fugitive added to the list. Of the 531 suspects on the list, 494 have been arrested or located, of which 163 as a result of civilian cooperation.
According to the latest FBI statistics, the FBI has captured eight fugitives from the top 10 list in the past five years.
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Anyone with information about Fields, or any of the other fugitives on the top 10 list, is asked to call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Individuals can also contact their local FBI office, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Chris Eberhart is a crime and American news reporter for Fox News Digital. Email tips to chris.eberhart@fox.com or on twitter @ChrisEberhart48
