Fugitive for Nine Years Arrested by U.S. Marshals

TYLER — After nine years on the run, 31-year-old Alan Patterson of Tyler has been arrested by U.S. Marshals in Austin for probation violations stemming from an aggravated robbery conviction in 2004. Patterson was sentenced to probation for the robbery case but later absconded, according to a news release. On May 14, 2007, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office issued a felony probation violation warrant, but officials say Patterson had fled Smith County.

On May 25, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force (JETFT) adopted Patterson’s nine-year-old fugitive investigation. U.S. Marshal Investigators conducted what’s termed a comprehensive examination of the case. They discovered that Patterson was living in Austin, using the alias of “Alan Austin,” according to the release. Officials say while a fugitive, Patterson changed his appearance by growing much longer hair and a full beard and gaining weight.

On Wednesday, the current identification and address for Patterson were conveyed to U.S. Marshals in Austin. They were able to arrest Patterson at his residence on Berkshire Drive, and he was booked into the Travis County Jail without bond. Patterson will be transferred to the custody of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department in the near future.