International Sex Offender With Ties to Cleveland Arrested by U.S. Marshals

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals (USMS) in Maryland, in conjunction with the USMS in Cleveland, OH arrested Stephan A. Pittman (46) in Fort Washington, Maryland earlier today. Pittman was wanted by the USMS for failure to register as a sex offender and by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) for failure to appear on prior sex offender registration violations.

Pittman was convicted of sexual assault in Texas in 2009 and required to register as a sex offender under the Adam Walsh Act.  Pittman was released from a Texas prison in 2014 and relocated to Cleveland. It was alleged that Pittman violated his registration requirements while living in Cleveland and the CCSO obtained a warrant for his arrest. Pittman fled, becoming a fugitive. He was tracked by the USMS to Germany however he was not subject to extradition under German law and the case went cold.

While residing in Germany Pittman was again convicted of a sex offense, this time the forcible rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Last year Pittman returned to the U.S. from Germany and was arrested on his outstanding warrant. Pittman was released on bond, however in March he failed to appear for a hearing and a new warrant was issued.

During this time, the U.S. Marshals also investigated Pittman for alleged violations of federal sex offender registration laws, and a federal arrest warrant was issued in March following indictment. The U.S. Marshals Service is the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of the Adam Walsh Act and International Meghan’s Law.

Pittman remains in custody in Maryland pending hearings in Cleveland and Maryland.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said “This investigation spanned nearly a decade and involved law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Even some abroad. This type of cooperation is paramount to protect our communities and takes a habitual predator off the streets.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.