Current:Home > ContactA man accused in a child rape case was arrested weeks after he faked his own death, sheriff says -AssetScope
A man accused in a child rape case was arrested weeks after he faked his own death, sheriff says
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:46:54
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A man arrested after a weekend police chase and motorcycle crash in Georgia turned out to be fugitive accused of avoiding a child rape charge by faking his own drowning death last month in a Mississippi River kayaking accident, according to a Louisiana sheriff.
Melvin Emde, 41, of Talihina, Oklahoma, had been reported missing by his son early on Aug. 7, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said in a news release. Authorities were told at the time that Emde had fallen from a kayak while fishing and had drowned. The sheriff’s office reported at the time that the search spanned two days and used divers, sonar, a small boat and a drone.
No body was found. Meanwhile, investigators learned that Emde was facing charges of “indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child” in North Carolina.
“We immediately became quite suspicious that this may have been a faked accidental drowning and death in order for Mr. Emde to escape charges in Brunswick County, North Carolina,” Champagne said in the release. “However, we could not publicly expose our suspicions for fear of tipping him off.”
Detectives learned that Emde had bought two prepaid cellphones in Boutte, Louisiana, before the reported drowning.
Detectives worked with authorities in North Carolina and the United States Marshals Service to track the phones, but Emde used only one phone and kept it on only briefly, authorities said.
The break in the case came Sunday in Georgia after a Highway Patrol officer attempted to stop a motorcycle for not having a license plate. The driver crashed and tried to run way but was captured. The driver gave a false name but was identified as Emde through fingerprints, Champagne said.
Emde’s son has not been charged, Amanda Pertuis, the public information officer for Champagne, said Tuesday. She said the investigation was ongoing.
Authorities in Brunswick County, North Carolina, and Tift County, Georgia, did not immediately respond to queries about Emde’s custody status or whether he has an attorney who can comment on his behalf.
veryGood! (14359)
Related
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- 'Just a shock': NC State student arrested after string of 12 shootings damaging homes and vehicles
- Florida men's basketball coach Todd Golden accused of sexual harassment in Title IX complaint
- Wyoming volleyball coach worried about political pressure to forfeit vs. San Jose State
- Trump's 'stop
- Brianna LaPaglia Says Zach Bryan Freaked the F--k Out at Her for Singing Morgan Wallen Song
- No. 4 Miami upset by Georgia Tech in loss that shakes up College Football Playoff race
- Trump made gains in heavily Hispanic areas all over the map. Here’s how he did it
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Police arrest a man after 9 people are stabbed over a day-and-a-half in Seattle
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Republican US Rep. Eli Crane wins second term in vast Arizona congressional district
- How Ariana Grande Channeled Wizard of Oz's Dorothy at Wicked's Los Angeles Premiere
- Nicole Scherzinger Apologizes for Hurt Caused by Controversial Instagram Comment
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Barry Keoghan Has the Sweetest Response to Sabrina Carpenter's Grammy Nominations
- Brianna LaPaglia Says Zach Bryan Freaked the F--k Out at Her for Singing Morgan Wallen Song
- LGBTQ+ hotlines experience influx in crisis calls amid 2024 presidential election
Recommendation
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Alabama high school football player died from a heart condition, autopsy finds
Frustrated Americans await the economic changes they voted for with Trump
'Just a shock': NC State student arrested after string of 12 shootings damaging homes and vehicles
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Wicked Star Ethan Slater Shares Similarities He Has With His Character Boq
49ers' Nick Bosa fined for wearing MAGA hat while interrupting postgame interview
Democrat April McClain Delaney wins a US House seat in a competitive Maryland race