US Marshals capture Oklahoma man accused of recording sexual assault of 6-month-old baby and posting it on social media
An Oklahoma man who allegedly sexually assaulted an infant and later posted a recording of the act on social media was captured by the U.S. Marshals Service in Texas on Thursday, authorities said.
Brice Gage Watkins, 22, had eluded Oklahoma police since being charged Aug. 14 with one felony count of distribution of child pornography, prompting U.S. Marshals to join the search this week. Watkins was later charged with additional counts of manufacturing child pornography and three counts of lewd acts with a child under 12, according to police.
Watkins was taken into custody by members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force at a "known associate's residence" in San Marcos, Texas, the U.S. Marshals said in a press release.
We just learned that fugitive Brice Watkins was taken into custody in San Marcos, Texas. Great work by the US Marshals and all involved investigators! pic.twitter.com/u4CjTl0IBo
— Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) September 10, 2020
The child victim, who turned 1 in June, authorities said, was about 6 months old at the time of Watkins' alleged abuse.
The Oklahoma City Police Department thanked the U.S. Marshals and "all involved investigators" in a Twitter post announcing Watkins' arrest. The Enid Police Department, via Facebook, also thanked "numerous members of the public who submitted tips" during the nearly month-long search for Watkins.
A spokesman for Enid police described Watkins' alleged acts as "despicable" in a statement to USA TODAY earlier this week and said he needed to be "taken into custody immediately."
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Contributing: Jessica Flores, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma man accused of sexually assaulting baby caught by US Marshals
