Wanted Former New Bedford Man Apprehended After Fleeing The Country

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney

Press Release
March 6, 2019​​

A 34-year-old former New Bedford man with several active arrest warrants was apprehended by members of the Bristol County District Attorney’s State Police Unit at Logan Airport late last month after boarding a flight from London to Boston.

John Walker had open arrest warrants for six counts of violating a restraining order and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon when he was taken into custody at the airport on February 23.

On May 21, 2017, the defendant allegedly walked up to his uncle in Dartmouth and sprayed mace all over his face.  The victim filed a restraining order against the defendant immediately after the incident. In January of 2018, while the assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge was in the pretrial stages, the defendant defaulted and fled to England.  While in England, the defendant allegedly violated the restraining order by sending his uncle a number of texts, some of which contained threats. 

The defendant first appeared back in New Bedford District Court on February 25. During that court appearance, he was ordered to undergo a mental health and competency evaluation at a secure facility, which is still ongoing.  He is due back in court on March 14 for a dangerousness hearing.

“This is a great example of various agencies working together to apprehend a fugitive who had skipped court and fled the country,” District Attorney Quinn said.  “I would like to thank the United Kingdom’s Custom and Border Patrol for alerting us to the defendant’s presence on the flight, the US Customs and Border Protection officers who processed the defendant once he arrived back in the United States and our State Police Unit for their work on this case.”

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

508-997-0711

774-292-9576–cell