A federal jury in Oklahoma City convicted Anthony Michael Lennon, 44, formerly of Moore, of failing to register as a sex offender, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced on April 17.
The case highlights the enforcement of federal laws designed to protect public safety and ensure that sex offenders are properly monitored. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma advances public safety and community well-being through such enforcement efforts, according to the official website.
Lennon disappeared from a hotel in Moore in March 2012 after staging what appeared to be a violent crime scene. Authorities later determined that he had fled the state and lived under false identities for more than a decade. “Mr. Lennon spun an elaborate web of lies to disappear and evade authorities by staging a crime scene, fleeing the state, and living under false identities for 13 years. But despite his best efforts, Mr. Lennon could not erase his criminal past nor stop the relentless pursuit of law enforcement to hold him accountable,” said Troester. He added: “I commend the determined resolve of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Moore Police Department in their efforts to track down fugitives and bring them to justice, no matter how long it takes, how far they run, or the lengths they go through to hide from authorities.”
U.S. Marshal Johnny L. Kuhlman said: “The arrest of Anthony Lennon 13 years and 1,500 miles from the time he was last seen illustrates the dedication and expertise of the U.S. Marshals Service to find and apprehend fugitives, no matter how long they’ve been gone or how far they’ve run.” Evidence at trial showed that after emptying his bank accounts in Oklahoma in 2012 while facing child pornography charges in Cleveland County District Court—and possible prison time—Lennon left Oklahoma entirely.
Investigators found that between Nevada, Illinois, and New York over thirteen years on the run, Lennon failed multiple times at fraudulently obtaining a passport using an alias before finally being arrested on October 30, 2025 in Canton, New York.
The trial lasted four days with jurors deliberating about two hours before reaching their verdict; sentencing could bring up to ten years’ imprisonment plus up to $250,000 fine for Lennon.
This prosecution is part of broader efforts by federal officials who enforce laws defending national security across forty counties—the largest judicial district in Oklahoma—as described by information available on its official website according to federal sources. The office also collaborates with agencies such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Safe Childhood to enhance community safety.
