Topline: Anthony Lennon, a convicted child sex offender from Oklahoma, was arrested in New York after eluding police by staging his own elaborate, bloody abduction in 2012.
Published: November 6, 2025 1:00 pm ET
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Anthony Lennon mugshot 2011, Anthony Lennon New York arrest photo (via Moore Police Department, Facebook)
CANTON, NY — A convicted child sex offender from Oklahoma was arrested in New York on October 30, 2025, thirteen years after he faked his own death and abduction to evade police.
Anthony Lennon, was apprehended in Canton, New York, following a protracted investigation by the Moore Police Department and the US Marshals in Oklahoma.
Lennon was captured at a Canton motel after being tracked down by federal and local law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, Lennon was reportedly enrolled at SUNY Canton, living under the assumed identity of “Justin Phillips.”
Fingerprint analysis confirmed his true identity, according to a joint statement from the Moore Police Department and the US Marshals.
Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson addressed the nature of Lennon’s disappearance. Lennon had been named one of Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
The 13-year pursuit began in March 2012 in Moore, Oklahoma. Authorities were attempting to take Lennon into custody on new charges related to child pornography possession.
When officers arrived at a Super 8 Motel where Lennon was working, they found no trace of the suspect. Instead of Lennon, police discovered a disturbing scene inside the motel room.
Authorities allege Lennon had “staged an elaborate and bloody abduction and robbery scene,” leaving falsified evidence to suggest he had been kidnapped. Pools of blood were found throughout the room.
“He went to extremes, and we did determine that the large amount of blood at the staged crime scene actually was his,” Chief Gibson said at a press conference, as per KOCO.
US Marshal Johnny Kuhlman for the Western District of Oklahoma said, “And just like that, Mr. Lennon disappeared, and his whereabouts remained unknown until recently.”
The arrest in New York concluded a lengthy manhunt. Moore Police detectives and US Marshals in Oklahoma maintained the investigation over the entire 13 years Lennon was a fugitive. The coordinated effort successfully tracked Lennon to the upstate New York community.
Chief Gibson suggested Lennon’s attempts at deception ultimately failed. “Mr. Lennon may think he’s a smart person, but he is not as smart as he thinks he is,” Gibson said, as reported by 7 News.
Lennon’s legal troubles dated back years before his 2012 disappearance. He was first convicted in 2008 on charges of aggravated child pornography. That conviction resulted in a twenty-year suspended sentence.
In 2011, authorities learned that Lennon was allegedly in possession of additional child pornography. Investigators found substantial evidence at Lennon’s home, including chat logs, a desktop computer, and multiple compact disks. The disks contained images of children and infants being violently sexually assaulted, police said in the statement.
Lennon was arrested again after the 2011 findings. He was subsequently released on a bond. It was during the attempt to re-arrest him in March 2012, when he was at the Moore motel, that he staged his escape.
The investigation into Lennon’s activities did not conclude with his arrest. Authorities are examining whether Lennon committed other crimes while he was a fugitive. Law enforcement officials are currently running search warrants in New York.
“Search warrants are being run in New York on devices and residences, and we will see what they reveal to see if further crimes have been committed,” US Marshal Kuhlman said.
Lennon is being held in New York state. He is currently awaiting extradition to Oklahoma to face the existing child pornography charges. The charges he faces relate to crimes he committed against children in the Moore community.
The case remains active and under investigation by multiple agencies, according to the official statement. Law enforcement officials said Lennon’s capture marks the beginning of the accountability process. It is currently unclear whether Lennon has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Fugitive Sex Offender Captured After 13 Years On The Run
Anthony Lennon, a convicted child sex offender from Oklahoma, was arrested in New York after eluding police by staging his own elaborate, bloody abduction in 2012.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 6, 2025 1:00 pm ET
Anthony Lennon mugshot 2011, Anthony Lennon New York arrest photo (via Moore Police Department, Facebook)
CANTON, NY — A convicted child sex offender from Oklahoma was arrested in New York on October 30, 2025, thirteen years after he faked his own death and abduction to evade police.
Anthony Lennon, was apprehended in Canton, New York, following a protracted investigation by the Moore Police Department and the US Marshals in Oklahoma.
Lennon was captured at a Canton motel after being tracked down by federal and local law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, Lennon was reportedly enrolled at SUNY Canton, living under the assumed identity of “Justin Phillips.”
Fingerprint analysis confirmed his true identity, according to a joint statement from the Moore Police Department and the US Marshals.
Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson addressed the nature of Lennon’s disappearance. Lennon had been named one of Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
The 13-year pursuit began in March 2012 in Moore, Oklahoma. Authorities were attempting to take Lennon into custody on new charges related to child pornography possession.
When officers arrived at a Super 8 Motel where Lennon was working, they found no trace of the suspect. Instead of Lennon, police discovered a disturbing scene inside the motel room.
Authorities allege Lennon had “staged an elaborate and bloody abduction and robbery scene,” leaving falsified evidence to suggest he had been kidnapped. Pools of blood were found throughout the room.
“He went to extremes, and we did determine that the large amount of blood at the staged crime scene actually was his,” Chief Gibson said at a press conference, as per KOCO.
US Marshal Johnny Kuhlman for the Western District of Oklahoma said, “And just like that, Mr. Lennon disappeared, and his whereabouts remained unknown until recently.”
The arrest in New York concluded a lengthy manhunt. Moore Police detectives and US Marshals in Oklahoma maintained the investigation over the entire 13 years Lennon was a fugitive. The coordinated effort successfully tracked Lennon to the upstate New York community.
Chief Gibson suggested Lennon’s attempts at deception ultimately failed. “Mr. Lennon may think he’s a smart person, but he is not as smart as he thinks he is,” Gibson said, as reported by 7 News.
Lennon’s legal troubles dated back years before his 2012 disappearance. He was first convicted in 2008 on charges of aggravated child pornography. That conviction resulted in a twenty-year suspended sentence.
In 2011, authorities learned that Lennon was allegedly in possession of additional child pornography. Investigators found substantial evidence at Lennon’s home, including chat logs, a desktop computer, and multiple compact disks. The disks contained images of children and infants being violently sexually assaulted, police said in the statement.
Lennon was arrested again after the 2011 findings. He was subsequently released on a bond. It was during the attempt to re-arrest him in March 2012, when he was at the Moore motel, that he staged his escape.
The investigation into Lennon’s activities did not conclude with his arrest. Authorities are examining whether Lennon committed other crimes while he was a fugitive. Law enforcement officials are currently running search warrants in New York.
“Search warrants are being run in New York on devices and residences, and we will see what they reveal to see if further crimes have been committed,” US Marshal Kuhlman said.
Lennon is being held in New York state. He is currently awaiting extradition to Oklahoma to face the existing child pornography charges. The charges he faces relate to crimes he committed against children in the Moore community.
The case remains active and under investigation by multiple agencies, according to the official statement. Law enforcement officials said Lennon’s capture marks the beginning of the accountability process. It is currently unclear whether Lennon has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Fugitive Sex Offender Captured After 13 Years On The Run
Anthony Lennon, a convicted child sex offender from Oklahoma, was arrested in New York after eluding police by staging his own elaborate, bloody abduction in 2012.
By Kate Byrd
Published: November 6, 2025 1:00 pm ET
Anthony Lennon mugshot 2011, Anthony Lennon New York arrest photo (via Moore Police Department, Facebook)
CANTON, NY — A convicted child sex offender from Oklahoma was arrested in New York on October 30, 2025, thirteen years after he faked his own death and abduction to evade police.
Anthony Lennon, was apprehended in Canton, New York, following a protracted investigation by the Moore Police Department and the US Marshals in Oklahoma.
Lennon was captured at a Canton motel after being tracked down by federal and local law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, Lennon was reportedly enrolled at SUNY Canton, living under the assumed identity of “Justin Phillips.”
Fingerprint analysis confirmed his true identity, according to a joint statement from the Moore Police Department and the US Marshals.
Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson addressed the nature of Lennon’s disappearance. Lennon had been named one of Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
The 13-year pursuit began in March 2012 in Moore, Oklahoma. Authorities were attempting to take Lennon into custody on new charges related to child pornography possession.
When officers arrived at a Super 8 Motel where Lennon was working, they found no trace of the suspect. Instead of Lennon, police discovered a disturbing scene inside the motel room.
Authorities allege Lennon had “staged an elaborate and bloody abduction and robbery scene,” leaving falsified evidence to suggest he had been kidnapped. Pools of blood were found throughout the room.
“He went to extremes, and we did determine that the large amount of blood at the staged crime scene actually was his,” Chief Gibson said at a press conference, as per KOCO.
US Marshal Johnny Kuhlman for the Western District of Oklahoma said, “And just like that, Mr. Lennon disappeared, and his whereabouts remained unknown until recently.”
The arrest in New York concluded a lengthy manhunt. Moore Police detectives and US Marshals in Oklahoma maintained the investigation over the entire 13 years Lennon was a fugitive. The coordinated effort successfully tracked Lennon to the upstate New York community.
Chief Gibson suggested Lennon’s attempts at deception ultimately failed. “Mr. Lennon may think he’s a smart person, but he is not as smart as he thinks he is,” Gibson said, as reported by 7 News.
Lennon’s legal troubles dated back years before his 2012 disappearance. He was first convicted in 2008 on charges of aggravated child pornography. That conviction resulted in a twenty-year suspended sentence.
In 2011, authorities learned that Lennon was allegedly in possession of additional child pornography. Investigators found substantial evidence at Lennon’s home, including chat logs, a desktop computer, and multiple compact disks. The disks contained images of children and infants being violently sexually assaulted, police said in the statement.
Lennon was arrested again after the 2011 findings. He was subsequently released on a bond. It was during the attempt to re-arrest him in March 2012, when he was at the Moore motel, that he staged his escape.
The investigation into Lennon’s activities did not conclude with his arrest. Authorities are examining whether Lennon committed other crimes while he was a fugitive. Law enforcement officials are currently running search warrants in New York.
“Search warrants are being run in New York on devices and residences, and we will see what they reveal to see if further crimes have been committed,” US Marshal Kuhlman said.
Lennon is being held in New York state. He is currently awaiting extradition to Oklahoma to face the existing child pornography charges. The charges he faces relate to crimes he committed against children in the Moore community.
The case remains active and under investigation by multiple agencies, according to the official statement. Law enforcement officials said Lennon’s capture marks the beginning of the accountability process. It is currently unclear whether Lennon has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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