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Criminal Records - Most Wanted |
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Profile |
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Name: Ben Walter Hunter
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Race: White |
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Age Now: 41 |
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Height: 5'9" |
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Weight: 180 lbs. |
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Hair (Color, Description, Facial Hair): Brown
Balding |
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Eyes (Color and Correction): Green |
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Other Physical Characteristics: Deep Voice |
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Wanted for :
Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Lancaster County, VA;
May 26, 2004
Child Abuse, Lancaster County, VA;
May 2004
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Location(s) |
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Last Seen : San Diego, CA |
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Possible Location : , HI |
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Last Known : Unkown |
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Traits |
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Dips tobacco, possibly Kodiak snuff. |
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Prefers Anheuser Bush Natural Light Beer. |
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Likes to attend local school wrestling meets. |
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Frequently works out. |
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Case Story |
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Police Hunt Former Wrestling Coach |
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Lancaster County cops and the Virginia State Police say Hunter was a volunteer wrestling coach who turned his attention to one of his young wrestlers. He told the boy that if he wanted to be a state champion, he would need to step up his efforts.
According to investigators, Hunter convinced his victim to take supplements in order to enhance his physical strength. Police determined the so-called "supplements" were actually anabolic steroids.
Police say Hunter cultivated a friendly relationship with the boy's father, and in this way, had unfettered access to the child. At one point, he even gave the family a computer -- a seemingly generous gift. But cops say the real reason for the gift was so he could stay in close contact with the boy. |
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A Trust Betrayed |
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According to police, the victim's parents began to notice their son becoming increasingly irritable and aggressive. When they confronted him about his behavior, police say the boy admitted to his parents Hunter was injecting him with testosterone.
Alarmed, the victim and his parents went to their local police station where the young boy surprised everyone with another revelation: Hunter had been sexually molesting him.
The boy said it began when Hunter and the team were traveling to wrestling tournaments, some of which included overnight stays in other towns. On one such trip, police say Hunter was able to procure time alone with his star wrestler by concocting a story about a room shortage at the hotel, making it necessary for him to share a room with the victim.
The young boy told police he became drunk after Hunter bought beer for the entire team. When the boy woke up in the middle of the night, he found Hunter molesting him. |
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Wrestling Coach Charged on 31 Criminal Counts |
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Police arrested Hunter and when they conducted a search of the coach's 40-foot yacht and hotel room, they discovered large quantities of testosterone.
Hunter has been charged with 31 criminal counts ranging from distribution of a controlled substance to child abuse. Incredibly, despite the severity of his crimes, Hunter was allowed to bond out and travel to Oklahoma to visit his parents.
Cops say that was the last time anyone saw Hunter.
A police investigation revealed Hunter had been living a double-life. Police say Hunter pretended to be a man-about-town, at one point, even claiming that he was having an affair with his victim's mother. Cops determined that was a lie. The woman he was supposed to be dating revealed Hunter made no attempt to consummate their relationship. Investigators believe Hunter was creating a cover for his real activities.
Wrestling Coach Rangled
On Oct. 10, 2008, cops made a capture that many thought might never happen. Working off of tips from Dallas and Los Angeles U.S. Marshals tracked Hunter to an apartment complex in Phoenix, Az. Arizona cops contacted the management company which verified that a man matching Hunter's description had taken up residence in one of their buildings.
When cops first confronted him, Hunter denied he was their fugitive. But finally, Hunter admitted to cops that he was the man they were looking for.
After his arrest, investigators were able to unconver the details about Hunters ability to stay off police radar.
Cops say Hunter had identification in the fake name he was using. He also had a credit card and his rent was being paid by a friend. Cops say with the help of associates, Hunter had established a new life for himself, even taking a trip to Las Vegas at one point.
When investigators asked Hunter why he ran, cops say he admitted that because of the charges he was facing - he couldn't face going to prison -- a place he realized in which he might spend the rest fo his life.
Ben Hunter is now facing his greatest fear - spending a long time behind bars.
Investigators escorted him back to Virginia on Nov. 7, 2008. He is awaiting trial on several charges including distribution of a controlled substance and child abuse.
Hunter is currently being housed in the Henrico County Jail in Henrico, Va.
-- by Denni Michael Wagner, AMW Staff |
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