By Lanell Downs Smith

Quick thinking by Crenshaw County Sheriff’s deputies led to the capture of a fugitive wanted in two other states Monday.

On Nov. 4, around 3:40 p.m., deputies responded to the 1400 block of Quail Tower Road in Rutledge to perform a welfare check. According to Chief Deputy Chris Stewart, the Sheriff’s office received a request for the check in reference to a wanted fugitive and sex offender, Joseph Gleason, 45.

“We received a call from a family member who asked us to perform a welfare check,” Stewart said. “Deputy Austin Hebert went out there, asked questions and felt something was off.

“After speaking with family members and other agencies holding warrants for Gleason, deputies went back out. Upon entering the home, Gleason was located hiding in the residence, and was taken into custody and charged.”

Gleason, who was wanted by the Colorado Springs Police Department as well as the Colorado and Bedford County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office, was charged by Crenshaw County with failure of an adult sex offender to register with local law enforcement, failure to pay required registration fee, violation of requirements upon entering state, resisting arrest and fugitive from justice. 

“Gleason is wanted in Tennessee for violation of sex offender registry, failure to appear (FTA), and two capias warrants,” Stewart said. “He is also wanted in Colorado for a parole violation on a sexual assault conviction.”

Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears expressed his gratitude for the deputy’s quick response leading to Gleason’s capture.

“I want to thank our deputies for taking quick action on removing this individual from our community,” Mears said.

According to Stewart, Gleason is held in the Crenshaw County Detention Facility and will face local charges. After that, he will be extradited to either Tennessee or Colorado to face charges in those states.