Authorities say a long running fugitive case tied to a 2014 child sexual assault allegation.
A decades long fugitive case tied to a child sexual assault allegation in Pennsylvania has come to an end after authorities arrested a man in North Carolina nearly 12 years after charges were first filed.
Officials with the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office said the arrest marks the conclusion of an extensive search for a suspect accused in a 2014 case involving a minor. Law enforcement confirmed the suspect was taken into custody on Thursday morning in the Charlotte area of North Carolina with assistance from federal authorities.
The arrest brings renewed attention to a case that began in the summer of 2014 and remained open for more than a decade as investigators continued tracking leads across state lines.
Arrest after 12 year search
Authorities identified the suspect as 55 year old, who had been wanted since charges were first filed in July 2014. Officials say the case involved serious allegations tied to a child victim in Fayette County, with charges including corruption of minors, indecent assault and indecent exposure.
The suspect, was accused in 2014 of offenses involving a 10 year old boy in Georges Township.
The victim was a minor at the time of the alleged incident, which investigators say occurred at a private residence.
The arrest came nearly 12 years after the initial charges were filed, closing a lengthy period in which he was considered a fugitive.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the passage of time did not reduce their focus on locating the suspect, and the case remained active throughout the years.
Allegations dating back to 2014
According to investigators, the case began after a report was made in July 2014. Authorities said a 10 year old boy disclosed details of an encounter that led to criminal charges being filed. The allegations included inappropriate contact and exposure, prompting Pennsylvania State Police to open an investigation.
During an initial interview in 2014, investigators reported that he acknowledged some physical contact with the child. He also suggested uncertainty regarding other aspects of the allegations, according to the criminal complaint filed at the time.
The case quickly moved through the early stages of the legal process, but the suspect did not remain in Pennsylvania as proceedings advanced, leading to a prolonged search effort that stretched across state lines and years.
Officials with the Pennsylvania State Police continued to coordinate with other agencies as part of the investigation, keeping the case open while pursuing leads on the suspect’s whereabouts.
Fugitive tracked to North Carolina
The breakthrough in the case came when investigators with the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office and a fugitive task force received information that he was living near Charlotte, North Carolina, with a romantic partner.
Working alongside the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities located and arrested him without incident Thursday morning.
Officials said the operation reflected continued coordination between local and federal agencies, particularly in cases where suspects may cross state boundaries to avoid arrest. Investigators did not immediately release additional details about how long he had been living in North Carolina before his capture.
Extradition and next steps
Keffer is currently awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania, where he will face prosecution in Fayette County. Court proceedings are expected to resume once he is returned to the jurisdiction where the charges were originally filed.
Authorities also noted that the investigation remains open to determine whether there are additional victims or related incidents that have not yet been reported. Officials encouraged anyone with relevant information about the suspect or similar cases to contact local law enforcement through established channels.
While the arrest brings a significant development in a case that remained unresolved for more than a decade, officials stressed that the legal process is still ongoing and that Keffer has not been convicted of the charges against him.
The case underscores the long reach of law enforcement efforts in unresolved felony investigations, particularly those involving serious allegations against minors. Even after years on the run, investigators were able to locate and detain the suspect, bringing a key phase of the case to a close while the judicial process moves forward.