3 children rescued from international fugitive’s home; suspect said to have Florida ties

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Three children were rescued from a Tennessee residence when the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and INTERPOL collaboration led to the arrest of a fugitive wanted for sexual offenses against a minor in the Bahamas earlier this month.

INTERPOL Washington released on Friday that Angelo McQueen, a citizen of the Bahamas, was arrested on July 5. He was reportedly wanted in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, for sexual offenses against a minor.

INTERPOL added that three children were rescued from McQueen’s residence in Pigeon Forge and that at the time of his arrest, McQueen worked at a Pigeon Forge amusement Park. McQueen entered the U.S. on March 1, 2024, in Florida as a B2 non-immigrant visitor, INTERPOL said.

A spokesperson for Dollywood confirmed that McQueen was an employee of a third-party cleaning company based out of Florida that was contracted by Dollywood.

The subject was an employee of APDC Cleaning Services, Inc. (APDC), a third-party staffing service that recruits and hires international workers. APDC was responsible for background identity checks and employment authorization of its employees assigned to Dollywood. He was assigned to a back-of-house position at Dollywood but was not working at the time of his arrest. Dollywood has ended its business relationship with APDC and is in process of separation with any other APDC contract workers assigned to the park. Any more information or questions about the subject need to be directed to APDC or to law enforcement.

Dollywood

According INTERPOL Washington’s release, it learned of the allegations against McQueen and their investigation led them to believe McQueen was likely in Pigeon Forge.

This information was given to the USMS Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force Eastern District of Tennessee, USMS Missing Child Unit, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations who arrested McQueen on July 5, the release states. All three children who were found at McQueen’s residence were turned over to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

“This joint operation underscores the vital importance of international cooperation and swift action to find dangerous fugitives and protect our most vulnerable,” said INTERPOL Washington Acting Director Jeffrey Grimming. “We thank our great USMS and ICE partners for their immediate response and will continue to offer our tools, resources, and global network in the fight for justice.”

McQueen is now in ICE custody, pending removal proceedings, INTERPOL Washington said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.