Edward Eugene Harper

Edward Eugene Harper (born March 1, 1946) is an American former fugitive who was wanted for sex crimes against children committed in 1993 and 1994. Harper was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on November 29, 2008. After 15 years on the run, he was captured in Wyoming by the FBI on July 23, 2009.

Background Early life and family Edward Eugene Harper was born in New Mexico to Nell Trimue Harper, a Baptist from Forrest City, Arkansas. Edward Harper has at least three sisters, he has been married twice and has two children.

Personal life Harper had little formal education. in a trailer park in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

According to Arton, the FBI Special Agent, Harper and his then-19-year-old wife began to look after one of his victims, a three-year-old girl, whose homeless mother could not take care for her. Sexual abuse by Harper and his wife Debra Harper was indicted on April 27, 1994 and released on $20,000 bond, but he failed to appear for a court hearing and his bond was revoked. A state warrant was issued for his arrest on October 31, 1994, in DeSoto County, Mississippi. Subsequently, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Harper by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, after he was charged in violation of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution on February 5, 1999.

Fugitive During Harper's time on the run, his mother received several letters from "Ed Harmon" - an alias used by Edward Harper. The letters mentioned him doing ranch work in Montana and Wyoming. He replaced Michael Registe on the list. There was a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to Harper's capture being offered by the FBI. The reward will be paid to the tipster.

Harper lived a nomadic lifestyle, living in a truck with a camper top, moving from place to place, and earning a living by doing odd jobs and herding sheep. He was captured in Washakie County, Wyoming in the southern portion of the Big Horn Mountains Harper surrendered without an incident and admitted his identity. He had an unspecified number of handguns and rifles in his truck but was not carrying them when he was apprehended.

Trial and conviction Harper was convicted by the DeSoto County Circuit Court of six counts of sexual battery, two counts of fondling, and two counts of conspiracy to commit sexual battery in October 2010. Harper was sentenced to a total of fifty years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.