A fugitive father wanted on more than a hundred counts of child sexual assault and incest in West Virginia was arrested in Darby on Monday, according to federal authorities. U.S. Marshals took 44-year-old Lawrence Downing into custody in the 600 block of Pine Street in Darby, Delaware County. Investigators say the charges trace back to allegations that Downing had a sexual relationship with his daughter that lasted about six years.
U.S. Marshals Track Him To Darby
According to the U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia, Downing fled West Virginia after he was charged by Charles Town police and was later located in Darby. The agency said warrants were issued by authorities in Jefferson County, West Virginia, before marshals moved in to make the arrest.
118 Counts Filed In Charles Town
The Charles Town Police Department in Jefferson County filed 118 counts against Downing, as reported by NBC10 Philadelphia. The outlet reports that the counts relate to alleged abuse of Downing's daughter over a six-year period and that charging documents were filed in Charles Town.
What Comes Next
Authorities have not said how long Downing may have been in Delaware County or when he will be transferred back to West Virginia to face the charges. The U.S. Marshals Service typically arrests fugitives on behalf of the jurisdiction that issued the warrants and coordinates their return, according to the agency's press materials.
Case Heads Toward Jefferson County Courts
Downing faces dozens of felony counts that will be prosecuted in Jefferson County courts if the case moves forward. Local officials had not released booking information or court paperwork at the time of the initial report. Those public records and the full charging documents are expected to provide the official, detailed roadmap of the case as it proceeds.
