Convicted sex offender eludes police in NC, SC for 8 years, arrested in Spartanburg

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A convicted sex offender, who has been evading the authorities in North Carolina and South Carolina since 2016, was apprehended in Spartanburg County, S.C., on June 28, 2024.

Rudolph Wiley Lindsey: The Convicted Sex Offender

Rudolph Wiley Lindsey, a man of 54, turned fugitive after failing to register his place of residence as a sex offender is now under custody. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Lindsey after a tip-off that he was employed at an industrial business in Duncan, S.C.

In the early morning hours of June 28th, Lindsey was located and arrested without any incidents based on the failure to register charges. The arrestees’ failure to register his residence has exposed a concerning loophole in the tracking system of registered sex offenders.

History of Lindsey’s Convictions

On August 8, 2007, Lindsey was found guilty of attempting to commit a lewd act with a minor in Charleston, S.C. His last confirmed registration was at Union County, S.C., in May 2016, after which he reported intending to shift to North Carolina. However, he never registered himself there.

Only the Rutherford County agency in North Carolina attempted to pursue Lindsey post-2016, but he successfully evaded their attempts. Lindsey was charged by North Carolina in 2016 for failure to register, and he was not apprehended until February 25, 2021, when a warrant for fugitive from justice was executed in Spartanburg County.

Public Help Appreciated

The Spartanburg County Sex Offender Registry Unit acknowledged the assistance provided by anonymous citizens in successfully apprehending Lindsey, who had been absent for a considerable period.

Society’s Role in Curbing Sex Offences

It’s pivotal that society plays an active part in alerting the authorities about potential threats – such as unregistered sex offenders. Providing information anonymously, as done in Lindsey’s case, not only helps ensure community safety but also adds pressure on the offenders, discouraging them from committing further crimes. Vigilant community members, along with efficient law enforcement, can create a safer society.

The arrest of Lindsey not only comes as a relief to the residents but also underscores the importance of a community’s role in reporting suspicious behavior leading to an agile and successful pursuit by law enforcement agencies. The system, although seemingly unsuccessful in tracking Lindsey’s move between states, proved effective once relevant information was at hand.