Sheriff Brian Kelley detailed the arrest of fugitive Brian Lebel after a multi-agency task force operation in Henning, TN. Lebel, convicted earlier this year for Reckless Aggravated Assault against a Sheriff's vehicle, had violated the conditions of his probation, which required him to serve time in jail and comply with state-supervised probation. Lebel had been on the run since effectively eluding the authorities by living as a "survivalist" in the woods, for approximately four months, according to a social media post by the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office.
The operation, carried out yesterday, involved the coordinated efforts of more than seventy officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Memphis Police Department. When apprehended, Lebel was found with high-grade night vision goggles and other equipment consistent with his survivalist lifestyle. His wife, Alexia Lebel, was also taken into custody for her alleged role in assisting his evasion. Sheriff Kelley credited the successful outcome to the collaboration among the participating agencies.
Brian Lebel is now facing charges including Violation of Probation, Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Evading Arrest, and Resisting Arrest all while his wife faces charges of Accessory and False Report. As the investigation progresses, further developments may emerge. The authorities caution that while charges have been laid, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
