Crime & Safety

Man Guilty of Raping Child Removes Tracking Device, Flees

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Willard Wigfield.



Willard Wigfield, 32, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, pleaded guilty in Lake County Common Pleas Court to raping a child under the age of 15. He was out on a $150,000 bond — under conditions that he wear an ankle tracking device — pending his July 8 sentencing. He did not appear in court and authorities discovered he had removed his monitor and fled.

Authorities believe Wigfield could be in Ohio or Florida. Wigfield is a white male, 5’7” and 190 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair and authorities believe he escaped with his dog, a brown and black Pomeranian-Poodle mix.

He is known to spend nearly all his free time at places frequented by children, such as playgrounds, skating rinks and swimming pools.

If you have information in reference to Wigfield, contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411).

Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

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