An Ohio fugitive has been apprehended in Cataula on 21 warrants related to sex crimes.
A man named Michael Lesko, aged 33, was taken into custody on Wednesday, as reported by Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley. According to reports, his parents reside in Georgia.
According to our sister station WXIX, Lesko has experience working as a youth counselor and social worker in Ohio. Allegations have been made against him regarding the grooming and sexual abuse of several boys over a span of almost two decades.
The sheriff announced that the West Chester, Ohio Police Department has issued active warrants for Lesko, which include:
- 7 counts of rape of a child under 13
- 8 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
- 6 counts of gross sexual imposition with a child under 13
After being arrested, Lesko was transported to the Harris County Jail, where he is currently awaiting extradition to Ohio.
“We are proud to have supported the West Chester Police Department, Ohio in apprehending Michael Lesko,” stated Jolley, expressing gratitude on behalf of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. “This kind of criminal activity is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in our society.”
Authorities highlighted that Lesko’s apprehension was made possible through a joint operation involving the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, U.S. Marshals, and the FBI.