One of South Carolina’s most wanted fugitives has finally been apprehended after evading law enforcement for nearly two decades. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office announced on June 27 that Antran Hall was captured in Detroit, Michigan, where he had been living under an alias. His arrest marks the end of a tireless 17-year search by authorities.
Hall, who was originally tried and found guilty in absentia for cocaine trafficking and failure to stop for blue lights in 2006, had two outstanding failure-to-appear warrants.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Investigations Unit (FIU) placed him on its most wanted list during the mid-2000s. Despite being convicted, Hall managed to evade capture and assumed a new identity, even deceiving his own wife and children.
The breakthrough in the case came earlier this year, when FIU detectives uncovered information suggesting that Hall was using an alias in Detroit. Deputy U.S. Marshals, working in collaboration with local authorities, intensified their investigation, ultimately narrowing their search down to a residence in Detroit.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Doug Leslie revealed that Hall’s capture was made possible when the fugitive made a mistake, although specific details were not disclosed.
“Eventually, Mr Hall made a mistake. We were able to capitalize on his mistake, determine who he was and where he was,” Leslie stated.
Carrie Miller of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office explained that Hall had created an entirely new life under his alias, including a family who remained unaware of his true identity and past crimes.
Investigators began surveillance on June 26 after pinpointing the suspect’s location. The following day, they observed Hall leaving his residence and took him into custody without incident.
Hall is currently being held at the Wayne County Detention Center in Michigan, awaiting extradition back to Anderson County to face justice. Legal experts suggest that he could potentially face a significant prison sentence ranging from seven to 30 years, depending on the severity of the cocaine trafficking charges. Furthermore, he may face additional charges for evading capture for such an extended period.
U.S. Marshal Chrissie Latimore commended the hard work and collaborative efforts of the agencies involved in the apprehension of Hall.
“After 17 years on the run, the perseverance, dedication and teamwork of our agencies resulted in the apprehension of one of Anderson county’s most wanted fugitives,” Latimore said.
