Prosecutor John Thatcher announced that his Office has launched a Facebook page to create public awareness of fugitives who have outstanding arrest warrants for felony charges. The Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/KnoxCountyProsecutor. Photos, physical descriptions and case information will be posted for Facebook users to see and share. The Prosecutor’s Office anticipates this information will produce tips that may lead to the arrest of these individuals so they can face their charges in the Knox Count Court of Common Pleas.

According to Thatcher, the Mount Vernon News is assisting his office in this effort by publishing a “Fugitive of the Week” every week for their readers. Facebook users are instructed to call either the Prosecutor's Office, 740-393-6720, or the Knox County Sheriff's Office, 740-397-3333, if they see any of these fugitives, or if they have any information about their whereabouts. Callers will remain anonymous when contacting either office by telephone, but information shared on the Facebook page will not be anonymous.

Thatcher said he will also use the Facebook page to promote events his office is sponsoring, or involved with, such as a Zoning Law Seminar for township officials, on March 7, and a Senior Fraud Prevention Forum, on March 9. Events like these provide a great service to local officials and the community, and using Facebook to make the public aware of these functions will enhance everyone’s understanding of the justice system and local government, according to Thatcher. Press releases about criminal cases and other important news and information will also be shared on the Facebook page to keep the community up to date on what is going on in the Prosecutor’s Office.