‘Most Wanted’ criminal taken into custody in Indiana

Michael Dwayne LeMasters, one of “America’s Most Wanted” criminals, was arrested early Wednesday after a routine traffic stop to check paperwork of a semi truck at the northbound scales on Interstate 65 near Seymour, Ind.

“LeMasters was wanted on multiple charges, including four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of first-degree sodomy, one count each of attempted first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree criminal mistreatment, fourth-degree felony assault and invasion of personal privacy and three related charges,” according to the “America’s Most Wanted” Web site.

Master Motor Carrier Inspector Mary Eglen found LeMasters riding in the cab of the semi truck with the driver. LeMasters was wanted for 64 criminal counts by three different law agencies, according to a press release.

“Eglen noticed the driver was returning from Florida and noticed he would probably be over on his paperwork,” said Sgt. Don Gregory, public information officer of the Indiana State Police, in reference to the log books drivers use to record the hours they drive. “She checked his log book and paperwork and realized he had an occupant in the vehicle with him.”

The law says drivers are required to have a letter on file if their passenger is not an employee of the company for which they drive for. There was no letter and the driver’s log books were false. Eglen asked LeMasters to come into the weigh station so she could identify him, Gregory said. She called the Indiana State Police dispatch and had his information run through their database and found that he was wanted on multiple charges ranging from sodomy to criminal mistreatment to sexual assault. He was wanted by two law agencies in California and one in Oregon.

When LeMasters was asked by Eglen to give his name and date of birth, he did so willingly, said Ken Summers, public information captain at the Yamhill County Sherriff’s Department in Oregon.

When trooper Raymond Hunt and master trooper Kevin Riordan arrived at the scene to make the arrest, LeMasters said, “‘I know why you’re here. I’m ready,’” Gregory said.
The officers were caught off guard because he had been known to carry weapons, he said.

The driver said he did not know he was driving around a wanted criminal, Gregory said.
“If he knew who he was driving around, then he would be assisting a wanted criminal,” he said. “The driver said he was a friend along for the ride. Then it changed a little bit. He said he was there to help him with his load. Supposedly, he was hired to move the freight in and out of the truck.”

No charges are being pressed against the driver.

LeMasters has been wanted in Yamhill County in Oregon since September 2008 and for many years in California, Summers said. He said LeMasters has pending charges in Yamhill County against him that he sexually abused some of his family members.

He is currently being held in the Jackson County jail waiting for extradition in California or Oregon.