Full Notification

Sheriff’s Security Officers and deputies arrested a dangerous sex offender in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, based upon information provided by Deputy U.S. Marshals.

Michael Shaun Butler is a convicted high-risk sex offender who absconded from California state parole in May 2009 and was considered an armed and dangerous fugitive. Butler is a career criminal whose previous charges include lewd and lascivious acts with a child, sodomy, rape by force, numerous drug possession charges, firearms and other weapons charges, prostitution charges, and numerous parole violations. Butler had been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1995 for felony lewd acts with a child (288 Penal Code). Official police reports described a 15-year-old victim who was drugged and sodomized by Butler. Butler admitted to the crime and was mandated to register for life as a high-risk sex offender.

Butler absconded from parole by removing his Global Positioning System (GPS) ankle monitor and began a life on the streets without parole supervision. His whereabouts were unknown. Deputy U.S. Marshal’s, Sex Offender Investigations Branch, Central District of California, were asked for their assistance in finding Butler and returning him to prison.

Deputy Marshals began an intensive search for the fugitive involving a variety of investigative techniques, including high-tech assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Information Research Center (DIRC). This information, combined with reports and witness sightings obtained by U.S. Marshal’s, placed Butler somewhere in a 3-mile radius within the downtown Los Angeles “Skid Row” area.

Multiple law enforcement agencies and private security firms in the area were briefed by U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) investigators regarding Butler’s fugitive status, and USMS wanted posters were distributed. Among the agencies notified were sheriff’s deputies and sheriff’s security officers with the County Services Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who provide policing and security for Los Angeles County buildings. Based on available information, special attention was given to the 800 block of East Fourth Street by Deputy U.S. Marshals.

On Wednesday, September 1, at 3:30PM, a sheriff’s security officer assigned to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) office in the 800 block of East Fourth Street, recognized Butler from the U.S. Marshal’s wanted poster, as Butler walked through a metal detector. The sheriff’s security officer immediately alerted nearby sheriff’s deputies and sheriff’s security officers, and arrested Butler as he attempted to run out the door.

U.S. Marshal Sex Offender Investigators were notified and arrived shortly thereafter to take custody of Butler. Butler was transported for booking and processing at the LASD Inmate Reception Center without incident. Investigators from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office are reviewing sex offender registration charges (parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender). He is being held without bail in the Los Angeles County jail on a parole hold as well as a $1,180,000 bail for failure to register as a sex offender.

Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Peerson said, “We work with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and all police agencies every day and every night. Our Deputies are committed to finding these fugitives and bringing them to justice. ”

This arrest is the result of the coordinated efforts and daily partnership with federal and local law enforcement by the USMS including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, as well as many other policing agencies.




Partner with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and United States Marshals Service to reduce crime in your area. Telephone your local policing agency if you observe any suspicious activity. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477); texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637); or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org




Most Wanted Fugitives – U.S. Marshals Service

http://www.usmarshals.gov/investigations/most_wanted/index.html

http://www.usmarshals.gov/investigations/major_cases/index.html

http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/ca-c/



Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department - Crime Prevention and Information (and Wanted Persons)

http://sheriff.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lasd/crimeprevention/







Press Release

Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Sex Offender Investigations Branch
Central District of California
United States Marshals Service

September 2, 2010







Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
www.lasd.org