Fugitive Sex Offender Caught Hiding in Lakes Region Apartment

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested a fugitive sex offender in Alton around midnight Thursday.

Jeffrey Nickerson, 29, was being sought on multiple outstanding arrest warrants issued by the Pittsfield, Barnstead and Laconia police departments. The outstanding arrest warrants were for three charges of failure to register as a sex offender, burglary, theft of a vehicle and escape. 

Since the issuance of the arrest warrants, the Pittsfield and Barnstead police departments had requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in an effort to locate and arrest Nickerson. He is required by law to register as a sex offender based on a 1994 conviction in Middlesex County, Mass. for three counts of sexual assault.

As part of the U.S. Marshals' investigation, Nickerson was aired as the "Fugitive of the Week" on Patch, WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, the Union Leader and the Nashua Telegraph.

Nickerson had contacted investigators and had indicated several times that he was going to surrender on the outstanding warrants. After he missed several opportunities to surrender, the Fugitive Task Force intensified its search. Information developed by investigators and through tips led the task force to an apartment on Main Street in Alton. During a search of the apartment, Nickerson was located hiding in a corner next to a bureau and a rear door. He was arrested without any further incident.

Nickerson was turned over to the Pittsfield and Epsom Police Departments. He was transported to Merrimack County Jail, where he will be held pending his initial court appearance.

Several members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in New Hampshire participated in this arrest, including task force officers from the Hillsborough and Belknap county sheriff’s offices, New Hampshire State Police, with the assistance of the Alton Police Department and deputy U.S. Marshals. Several other police departments also participated in the investigation.