U.S. Marshals Task Forces Capture Fugitive Wanted for 17 years

Sarasota, FL – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested John Joseph Kloss in North Port, Florida, July 25.

Kloss, 67, was wanted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for two counts of sodomy in the first degree, one count of sodomy in the second degree and one count of sexual assault.

Kloss was also wanted by the USMS, Northern District of Alabama for a federal flight to avoid prosecution charge. Kloss has been a wanted fugitive since Operation FALCON in 2008. This case has been worked extensively by over 30 different task force officers and senior inspectors over the years.

Developments in the case arose in September 2024 to both the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force (GCRFTF) and the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF). The two task forces used investigative techniques to confirm the suspect’s identity in July. Age progression photos provided by the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office were compared to recent photos of the suspect.

Members of the USMS GCRFTF, FCRFTF and the USMS Middle District of Florida arrested Kloss without incident.

“This apprehension proves again that no matter how long a criminal has been on the run, we never stop looking for them”, said Middle District of Florida U.S. Marshal William Berger, Sr. “Our dedicated team of investigators and deputies as well as our partners never let this case get cold. The cooperative effort seen on this capture proves again that criminals, especially of this kind, have no safe place here in Florida. It is well known that Kloss’s last words to a co-worker before he went on the run were ‘They will never find me’. Today, we indeed found him”.

Since 2006, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force has focused resources and efforts on the enhancement of public safety and the reduction of violence within the Gulf Coast Region, through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community, while ensuring the equal application of Justice, Integrity, and Service for all.

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov