Fugitive sex offender apprehended
Posted on Friday, July 13, 2012 at 2:03 pm
The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended a fugitive sex offender who was on the run for two months.
John Clifton Christoph Jr., 26, who lives in the Frog Level area, was caught on Tuesday.
He pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old and distributing drugs to a minor in Caroline Circuit Court in May. Under the terms of a plea agreement, four other charges were dismissed, and Christoph was sentenced to five years in prison.
Christoph was allowed three days to get his affairs in order and was supposed to report to the Pamunkey Regional Jail May 10. However, he did not show up, and authorities obtained a warrant to take him into custody.
Deputies received a tip that Christoph was in the Frog Level area on Tuesday, reported Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa. However, when deputies approached Christoph he fled into a wooded area. Officers with dogs from Caroline, Hanover, and Spotsylvania tracked Christoph for nearly four hours before they finally lost his trail, said Lippa.
Authorities subsequently received information indicating that Christoph had been picked up in a motor vehicle and taken to Henrico County.
About an hour later, they learned that Christoph had returned to the Frog Level area. Officers quickly responded and surrounded a house where he was located. He was apprehended without incident.
Christoph may face new charges, said Lippa.
Lippa thanked Virginia State Police and the counties of Hanover, Henrico, King William and Spotsylvania for their assistance in apprehending Christoph.
“Christoph is once again in custody and where he belongs – in jail,” said Lippa.
