CBS4 Viewer Tips Led Marshals To Alleged Facebook Impostor Fugitive In NYC
NEW YORK, NY (CBS4) - The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force used information from a CBS4 News viewer to track fugitive Adam Barnett to a hotel in Midtown Manhattan Wednesday morning.
The viewer saw the CBS4 profile on Barnett on Tuesday night's 11 o'clock news and told Marshals they were sure Barnett was in New York City staying at a Midtown hotel.
Acting on that tip, Marshals from New York and New Jersey tracked Barnett, 38, to the Pod Hotel on East 51 Street where he was registered under his own name. Marshals say they arrested him in his room without incident.
Barnett has been on the run from South Florida for several weeks after a warrant was taken out for his arrest on sex crimes charges stemming from Miami Beach.
The Marshals say Barnett was wanted for having sex with a minor, human trafficking, and procuring an underage person for prostitution.
Miami Beach Detectives say Barnett created a fake profile on Facebook, claiming to be a 22-year old Hooter's waitress, and used that profile to friend a 17 year old girl ,whom they allege he promised $10,000 for her to visit a South Beach hotel to engage in sex with an older wealthy man.
Marshals say the girl went to police after having sex with Barnett and not getting the money he had allegedly promised. Marshals say Barnett is also wanted on an outstanding warrant in Broward County.
In addition to the sex allegations, former business associates who called the CBS4 Newsroom Wednesday after seeing the story say Barnett stiffed them on several business deals.
