Crime & Safety

U.S. Marshals, Lake County Authorities Searching for Convicted Child Rapist

Two have been arrested on charges that they helped him on his multi-state run from authorities

U.S. Marshals and Lake County Sheriff's Department have announced that they are searching for a man convicted of raping a child in Mentor-on-the-Lake.

Willard Wigfield, 32, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, pleaded guilty in Lake County Common Pleas Court to raping a child under the age of 15. He was out on a $150,000 bond — under conditions that he wear an ankle tracking device — pending his July 8 sentencing. He did not appear in court and authorities discovered he had removed his monitor and fled.

Marshals have followed Wigfield’s tracks to New Philadelphia and Orlando, Fla. but the felon has eluded authorities in both areas. Now marshals say they do not have information regarding his whereabouts and are asking the public for help.

Wigfield is a white male, 5’7” and 190 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair and authorities believe he escaped with his dog, a brown and black Pomeranian-Poodle mix.

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He is known to spend nearly all his free time at places frequented by children, such as playgrounds, skating rinks and swimming pools.

Two others have been arrested on suspicion that they helped Wigfield in his escape.

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Authorities believe that Wigfield, originally from Massillon, removed his ankle bracelet by the Tuscawarus River near New Philadelphia and fled to Orlando, Fla. with a family friend, Robert Mahaffey, 33, of New Philadelphia.

When they tracked Wigfield to an Orlando hotel late Tuesday night, they found Mahaffey and arrested him on suspicion of accessory after the fact to rape.

Wigfield’s sister, Stephanie Smith, of Coshocton, has also been arrested on suspicion of obstructing justice for allegedly renting a car for her brother in his flight from authorities.

“Although the primary focus at this point is getting this dangerous sexual predator off the streets, investigators anticipate charging several other individuals for their roles in aiding his flight,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a press release.


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