From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 2, Number 42 - January 16, 2003
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Federal fugitive nailed

by Cat Urbigkit

Sublette County Sheriff Hank Ruland said in an interview Tuesday that officers from his department worked with federal officials in arresting a federal fugitive the prior evening.

Ruland said Terry Scott Loop, 43, was paroled from the Kansas Department of Corrections in May 1999, but violated the terms of his release and was determined to be a fugitive from justice.

"His original charge was sexual assault - rape," Ruland said.

Ruland said the U.S. Fugitive Task Force indicated that Loop may have been hiding in the Big Piney area, so the U.S. Marshal's Service met with Sublette County Sheriff's Department representatives to discuss the situation.

Ruland said his department requires that it be able to accompany federal officials in situations such as this one. Sergeant Scott Winer and Detective Paul Raftery, along with a U.S. Marshal, approached a residence at Harper's trailer court, knocked on the door and successfully apprehended the fugitive about 6:25 p.m., Monday evening, Ruland said.

Loop had apparently been working on a Caza drilling rig in the area, Ruland said.

"We've got him in our jail," Ruland said, waiting for a decision on his extradition.

In other department business, Ruland also said this week that there is nothing new to report on the anthrax hoax that occurred in a county government building last October.

At that time, someone sent a letter through the U.S. Postal Service to the county attorney's office. When the letter was opened by a female secretary in the county attorney's office, an unidentified white powdery substance fell onto her, requiring the situation be treated though it were a hazardous substance such as anthrax. The letter contained a death threat directed to the deputy county attorney. A hazardous materials team was called in, the county justice building was sealed and the area and building occupants had to be decontaminated.

Ruland confirmed that the state crime lab is still involved in examining the evidence, but noted that the lab is often backed up with work, so it could be months before the results are known. Ruland said officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation were in the county last month for one day to assist in the investigation as well.

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