An Oklahoma child sex offender has been captured 13 years after faking his own death.
On Thursday, police arrested Anthony Lennon, 49, in Canton, New York, where he had been living under the assumed name of Justin Philips.
Lennon had been evading law enforcement since 2012 after staging his own death, “an elaborate and bloody abduction and robbery scene,” at a Super 8 Motel in Moore, Oklahoma, where he was employed. Large pools of blood found at the scene were later verified as belonging to Lennon, according to the Moore Police Department statement.
Chief Gibson of the Moore Police Department (MPD) said, “He went to extremes, and we did determine that the large amount of blood at the staged crime scene actually was his.” Gibson also said, “Mr. Lennon maybe thinks he’s a smart person, but he is not as smart as he thinks he is,” Local 12 reported.
🚨After 13 years on the run, Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted fugitive Anthony Lennon has been captured. Lennon faked his own kidnapping in Moore in 2012 to avoid arrest. This case remains active, but Lennon will finally be held accountable for his crimes. Press release attached. pic.twitter.com/liPFzjcg0D
— Moore Police Dept. (@MoorePolice) October 31, 2025
Lennon’s motive for fleeing stemmed from escalating legal trouble. MPD reported that in 2008, he was given a 20-year suspended sentence for the aggravated possession of child pornography.
Then, in March 2012, a task force discovered further child pornography, leading to his arrest. On the day of his arrest, Lennon allegedly executed an elaborate vanishing act.
During his time as a fugitive, Lennon was reportedly a student at a local university in Canton, pursuing a doctorate in computer science. Law enforcement is currently conducting investigations in New York to determine if Lennon committed any additional crimes while evading capture, according to Local 12.
Cleveland County District Attorney Jennifer Austen expressed hope for a severe sentence now that Lennon is in custody.
“Hopefully, now we can sentence Mr. Lennon to prison, and he can be there for the rest of his life because these crimes carry up to life, and there will be no more children harmed by him,” Austen said.
Anthony Lennon: Timeline of Events
2008: Lennon receives a 20-year suspended sentence after being convicted of aggravated possession of child pornography.
2012: A task force discovers additional child pornography, leading to Lennon’s arrest.
March 201: Lennon stages an elaborate disappearance, faking his own death at a Super 8 Motel where he worked, leaving behind a large amount of his own blood. He goes into hiding.
2012–2025 (13 Years): Lennon evades law enforcement, living under the alias “Justin Philips” and reportedly pursuing a computer science doctorate at New York University in Canton.
Thursday Night (10/30): Anthony Lennon is successfully apprehended in Canton, by law enforcement.
Presently, Lennon is charged with an open count of murder (related to his faked death staging) and tampering with evidence.
Authorities are investigating to determine if he committed further crimes while a fugitive.
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[Feature Photos via Moore PD]
