NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

Local News

December 24, 2007

Man wanted in sex assault captured in Washington state

A 41-year-old Amesbury man who was wanted by police in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl was arrested in Washington state - about 125 miles from the Canadian border - on Friday.

Kingston police Chief Donald Briggs said Wayne Walker, whose last known address was with friends in Kingston but who is well known in Amesbury, where he lived most of his life, is being held at Washington's King County Jail.

During the summer and fall of this year, Walker allegedly sexually abused a juvenile several times at that same address he was staying at, according to police.

The U.S. Marshals Service was brought into the search for Walker last month, after charges were filed against him and he fled from New Hampshire.

While police said they suspected he would flee to the seacoast, specifically Newburyport, Walker was apprehended in Auburn, Wash., during a motor vehicle stop last week.

"We have reason to believe he may have been trying to flee the country to avoid apprehension," Briggs said.

Police in Amesbury and Newburyport had been assisting in the search.

Walker is currently charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault, but officials said more charges are likely.

He also has a history of charges against him from the Amesbury Police Department including domestic assault and battery and assault with a deadly weapon.

It is unclear when Walker will return to New Hampshire to face the newest charges, or what his bail conditions are.

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