Falls Man Wanted On Child Rape Charge Arrested In Florida

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — A Falls Township man wanted on charges claiming he raped a 13-year-old child was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Florida, according to police.

Shane Ferguson, 37, of the Morrisville section of the township, was captured at about 9 a.m. Wednesday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., by the office's Florida Caribbean Regional Task Force, police announced.

Falls Township Police announced last month that Ferguson was wanted on charges including forcible rape, indecent assault against a person younger than 16, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Falls Township Police Department Chief Nelson Whitney said Wednesday that the victim in the case is 13 years old and that the assault happened in Falls.

Ferguson, who also was wanted on a parole violation charge, was at the St. Lucie County Detention Facility on Wednesday, awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

"Crimes against children diminish us all, as even their existence is an affront to civilized society," said Eric Gartner, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. "We are thankful to have been able to support Chief Whitney, the Falls Township Police Department and the citizens of Bucks County in capturing the subject of this heinous crime so quickly."

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