Florida police officer nabs one of FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives

A Florida police officer apprehended a man on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list during a routine traffic stop over the weekend, earning praise from the federal agency.

Sgt. Michelle Bilbrey arrested Donald Eugene Fields II, 60, around 9:15 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27/441 and Rolling Acres Road in Lady Lake, the Lady Lake Police Department said in a news release.

Fields, who is facing federal charges of child sex trafficking and state charges of child rape, was apprehended after Bilbrey ran his vehicle’s license plate and discovered that it was not registered to the car he was driving, police said.

Who is Donald Eugene Fields

The backstory:

Donald Eugene Fields II has been running from the law since 2022. He was indicted in December 2022 on one count of child sex trafficking.

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Fields’ co-defendant, Theodore "Ted" John Sartori Sr. was indicted on the same charge. Sartori pleaded not guilty in December 2022 and is awaiting trial.

The indictment accuses both men of knowingly attempting to recruit, entice, provide, patronize, and solicit a minor into engaging in a commercial sex act from about January 2013 until June 2017.

Donald Eugene Fields II, 60, is facing federal charges of child sex trafficking and state charges of child rape, authorities said. (FBI)

Donald Eugene Fields II, 60, is facing federal charges of child sex trafficking and state charges of child rape, authorities said. (FBI)

In a December 2022 court hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins said Sartori provided cash, cars, motorcycles, vacations, and Christmas presents to Fields II in exchange for access to the victim.

Fields is also facing charges including statutory rape, statutory sodomy, child molestation, and witness tampering in Franklin County Circuit Court. A state warrant for his arrest was issued by that court after Fields vacated his home and failed to show up for a March 3, 2022, hearing, court records show.

Field was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in May 2023.

Capturing a ‘most wanted fugitive’

What they're saying:

Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt praised Bilbrey and the department for their vigilance and dedication to every day policing.

"Sometimes, an everyday traffic stop turns into a real game-changer. This is a reminder that every officer, every day, is out there making a real difference," Hunt said. "Every traffic stop is an opportunity for justice. What starts as a routine encounter can quickly turn into a pivotal moment, where an officer’s sharp instincts and dedication to service lead to a significant arrest—keeping our community and in this case, the nation, safer."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson also commended the local officer and her police department.

"Thanks to proactive policing by the Lady Lake Police Department, one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives has been captured," Johnson said.

What's next:

Following his arrest, Fields will be scheduled to make his first court appearance in federal court in Florida.

Read more at FOXNews.com.

The Source: This story was written with information from the Lady Lake Police Department, FOX News reports and previous FOX 13 News reports. 

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