County's Most Wanted Fugitive Caught

Charles Leon Parker was arrested Saturday morning in Madison County, FL, after eluding authorities for 29 years.

Parker was originally arrested Nov. 24, 1982, in an incest case in Douglas County. He failed to appear in court to face the charges of incest and child molestation.

Phil Miller said Parker was the county's most wanted fugitive.

"We're proud to get him," Miller said. "To me, molesting a child is the worst crime a person can commit. It just shows that sooner or later we're going to get you."

Madison County officers conducted a traffic stop at which the driver claimed to be Ross M. Healan of Madison, FL. The officer was suspicious because the driver did not produce a valid license, so he was arrested and fingerprinted.

The prints showed that the driver was Parker. 

Countless man-hours were put into this investigation over the years, and everyone with the Sheriff's Office fugitive staff has worked on the case at one time or another, according to the sheriff's website.

Charles Parker was on America's Most Wanted and was hunted by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Miller said two officers have been sent to Florida to interview Parker and the woman he was living with.

"He could decide to waive extradition, and we could bring him back here right away," Miller said. "But, if not, we're going to bring him back here one way or the other so he can get what he deserves."