US Marshals seek to apprehend man accused of beating officer

Staff report

CLEVELAND

U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is seeking the public’s help in apprehending a man accused of beating his probation officer and then fleeing to the Youngstown/Warren area.

The task force and the Norwalk Police Department are looking for William Brown, 42, a black male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 290 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Authorities accused Brown of assaulting his probation officer Sunday. The reported attack also resulted in a bench warrant being issued for Brown’s bond revocation out of Richland County. He also has a third warrant out of Louisiana for violating his parole.

Brown was placed on pretrial supervision in Richland County after his March 7 arrest for fleeing and eluding from Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers after leading them on a high-speed chase on Interstate 71, according to a marshal’s press release.

Brown also was on parole in Louisiana at the time, and Louisiana revoked his parole and issued an arrest warrant.

On Sunday, Brown’s probation officer attempted to take Brown into custody at Brown’s mother’s house in Norwalk, in Huron County, when Brown punched the probation officer in the face, knocking him unconscious, the task force said.

Brown then fled in a blue or gray pickup truck. He drove to northeast Ohio and is believed to be hiding out in Warren or Youngstown.

Task force officers have interviewed several of Brown’s friends and family members in the Youngstown area, but haven’t been able to capture him.

Anyone with information as to Brown’s whereabouts are asked to call the U.S. Marshals tipline at 866-4WANTED (866-492-6833). Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.