The Federal
Bureau of Investigation today placed Clayton Lee Waagner, a convicted
felon, on its "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. Waagner
is also one of the United States Marshals Service's "Fifteen
Most Wanted Fugitives". He is being sought for escaping
from federal custody in Illinois, bank robbery in Pennsylvania,
federal firearms violations in Tennessee, and carjacking in Mississippi.
This case is being investigated jointly by the FBI, the United
States Marshals Service, as well as state and local law enforcement
agencies. Waagner should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.
On February
22, 2001, Clayton Lee Waagner escaped from the DeWitt County
Jail in Clinton, Illinois, where he was awaiting sentencing after
having been convicted on federal weapons and stolen motor vehicle
charges. He then allegedly robbed a bank in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
in May of 2001. In addition, Waagner is also suspected of other
bank robberies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On September
7, 2001, after Waagner's involvement in a traffic accident in
Memphis, Tennessee, authorities recovered law enforcement-type
equipment, anti-abortion literature, and weapons, allegedly belonging
to Waagner. Later that day, Waagner allegedly carjacked an elderly
victim at gunpoint near a casino in Robinsonville, Mississippi.
The victim was released approximately two hours later, however
the vehicle, a 1995 burgundy Ford Econoline van with Tennessee
license plates reading BAE110, has not been recovered.
Waagner
is described as a White male, 6'1", 175 to 220 pounds, with
brown hair and green eyes. He was born in North Dakota on August
25, 1956, and uses numerous aliases. Due to possible frostbite
injuries suffered during his escape on his hand and toes, Waagner
may have limited use of his left hand and may, at times, walk
with a limp. He is known to be pro-life and has, in the past,
allegedly made threats against abortion clinics and doctors.
He has survivalist skills and may be heavily armed.
Clayton
Lee Waagner is the 467th person to be placed on the FBI's "Ten
Most Wanted Fugitives" list, which began in 1950. Since
then, 438 fugitives have been apprehended or located, 140 of
them as a result of citizen cooperation.
A reward
of up to $50,000 is being offered for any information leading
directly to the arrest of Clayton Lee Waagner. Individuals with
information concerning Clayton Lee Waagner should take no action
themselves, but instead immediately contact the nearest office
of the FBI, United States Marshals Service, or local law enforcement
agency. For any possible sighting outside the United States,
contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Further
information about Clayton Lee Waagner, including his wanted poster,
is available on the FBI's Internet Home Page. The FBI's Internet
Home Page address is: http://www.fbi.gov.