UPDATE: February 14, 2016 8:30 p.m.
RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. — A fugitive who allegedly made threats to kill law enforcement in Tennessee and was believed to be in the St. Clair County, Illinois area reportedly surrendered without incident in Kentucky Sunday night after a national alert went out for his capture.
According to law enforcement, 53-year-old Scotty Eugene Priest was considered armed and dangerous and was wanted by the Decatur County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges that included attempting to commit an Act of Terrorism and Harassment.
The sheriff’s office Facebook page said Priest had made online threats to kill law enforcement officers and specifically named Decatur County officers. Priest was also wanted by the Parsons Police Department in Tennessee.
Early Sunday, Caseyville, Illinois Police shared the Decatur County Sheriff’s post, saying that Priest was believed to be in the St. Clair County area and reportedly had been spotted in Marissa.
But hours after the alert went out asking for the public’s help in locating Priest, he surrendered to Kentucky authorities.
The Decatur County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office announced Priest’s arrest around 8 p.m. Sunday, and thanked everyone for their tips and information, saying he had been apprehended thanks to the assistance of police agencies in Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee; along with the United States Marshall Service, FBI, and Homeland Security.
Priest is in custody in Russellville, Kentucky, and surrendered to Kentucky Police without incident and no one was harmed. He will be transported back to Decatur County.
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February 14, 2016 4 p.m.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A fugitive who reportedly made threats to kill law enforcement is believed to be in the St. Clair County area and police are asking the public for help in locating the man.
(Source: Decatur County SO)
According to law enforcement, 53-year-old Scotty Eugene Priest is wanted by the Decatur County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges that include attempting to commit an Act of Terrorism and Harassment.
The sheriff’s office Facebook page says Priest Priest has made online threats to kill law enforcement officers and specifically named Decatur County officers. Priest is also wanted by the Parsons Police Department in Tennessee.
Early Sunday, Caseyville, Illinois Police shared the Decatur County Sheriff’s post, saying that Priest is believed to be in the St. Clair County, Illinois area and that he sold his 1972 Chevrolet Nova. The description of the vehicle is not known at this time.
They ask that anyone who knows of Priests’ whereabouts to call local authorities immediately.
According to the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Priest is 6-feet one-inch tall, around 180 pounds, and has blue eyes and blond hair.
He is a white male and police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.