A fugitive wanted by the Richland County Sheriff's Office on a second-degree felony count of escape has been captured in West Virginia by the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force.

William Smith, 51, was arrested at a hotel in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

He was also wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for violating his parole on an original charge of felonious assault as well as by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office for burglary.

Smith was released from prison in Richland County in early 2008 and failed to report to his parole officer.
In February, 2009, he was indicted for escape and was listed as a parole violator at large by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

Smith has been on the run ever since and in March of this year the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, Richland County Division, initiated a fugitive investigation to track down Smith.

In May of this year, Smith was added to the "Dangerous Dozen," which profiles 12 fugitives in newspapers across Ohio.

A few months ago, this media attention generated a tip that gave investigators a new lead on Smith.

The fugitive investigation then led officers to southern Ohio and several cities in West Virginia, where investigators from the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team and the Mountain State Fugitive Task Force coordinated their efforts, which resulted in Smith's arrest at the Colonial Hotel on Kanawha Street in Buckhannon, West Virginia.

Smith is currently awaiting extradition back to Richland County.

Assistant Chief Deputy Drew Deserto stated, "Great work by all of the investigators on this case. This dangerous fugitive thought he could flee the state of Ohio and evade the law. I am proud of the work of the Richland County Division of our Task Force with tracking down and returning this dangerous fugitive to face justice for his crimes."

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833. You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-m/index.html. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.