‘Armed and dangerous’ fugitive escapes in Tyler County

MIDDLEBOURNE, W.Va. (WBOY) — A man awaiting trial on sex charges in Tyler County has escaped from custody and is currently on the run.

According to officials with the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, John Shepherd, 58—who was on home confinement—escaped from his residence in Middlebourne on Thursday. He was being held on charges issued in 2021 for sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, according to the West Virginia Magistrate Court’s website.

Officials with the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office said that Shepherd does not have any known connections anywhere else in West Virginia, but did say that he is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Information from the West Virginia Magistrate Court says that Shepherd was also previously charged with attempted escape in 2021, but the charges were dismissed less than a year later.

Anyone with information on Shepherd’s whereabouts should contact Tyler County 911 at 304-758-2911.

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