The arrest of Allen Dwayne Coates

Brian D. Lamkin, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Kentucky Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the arrest of Allen Dwayne Coates, white male, age 37, of Irvington, Kentucky.

Coates was arrested by FBI Agents without incident at approximately 12:30 p.m., in front of 513 South 5th Street, Louisville, Kentucky. The FBI was assisted by personnel from the Louisville Metro Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Ashland Police Department, and the South Charleston, West Virginia, Police Department. Assistance was also provided by the Kentucky State Police at Coates home in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, where efforts were made to locate Coates.

Coates was arrested on a federal charge of Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Coates was also charged in West Virginia for kidnaping and sexual assault based on a complaint filed by the South Charleston PD for an incident that occurred at a Target Store in South Charleston on July 12, 2003. In that incident a young girl was abducted inside the store and sexually assaulted . Ashland Police are also investigating the possibility that Coates was involved in a similar incident that occurred at a Walmart Store in Ashland, Kentucky, on July 11, 2003. Coates' was developed as a suspect concerning the South Charleston incident based on information developed through national media attention which this case received.

Coates will be held at the Jefferson County Jail pending extradition to West Virginia. The cooperation and professionalism of the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation resulted in the quick apprehension Coates.

Questions regarding this matter should be directed to Supervisory Special Agent David J. Beyer, FBI Spokesperson, at (502) 569-7150 or (502) 583-3941.