BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NORTON, Va. — A Martin County man who was the subject of a search the past month on charges of human trafficking and engaging in organized crime was captured Sunday by federal marshals in Norton, Virginia.

Dustin E. Newsome, 34, of Debord, was taken into custody at a Taco Bell in Norton at approximately 5 p.m. after being recognized by an off-duty federal marshal eating at the fast-food restaurant. The officer identified the suspect from information provided by the Kentucky State Police labeling Newsome as wanted. The marshal requested backup from the Norton Police Department.

Norton Police Chief James Lane said after confirming Newsome’s identity, law enforcement took him into custody without incident.

“Anytime we’re contacted by a U.S. Marshal that asks for assistance in taking a fugitive from justice into custody, we take it seriously and respond with as many officers as possible and as quickly as we can,” Lane said. “A pending arrest can quickly turn hostile, and our priority is to prevent that from happening and to protect the public and keep our fellow officers safe.”

The chief added, “The charges against this fugitive were alarming, to say the least, so I’m relieved to know he’s now behind bars.” 

Newsome disappeared around Sept. 1 after becoming aware that Kentucky State Police Post 9 had obtained a warrant for his arrest. Charges in the warrant included five counts of failure to report victims of human trafficking, a class B felony charge of engaging in organized crime, possession of child pornography and other related charges. The warrant stated Newsome allegedly encouraged, elicited and engaged in unlawful activities with five juveniles and traded drugs for nude photos and explicit videos of juveniles engaging in sexual acts.

Newsome’s family and friends reported him missing on social media around the first of September. On Sept. 8, KSP publicly acknowledged a felony warrant for Newsome, and he became the subject of a manhunt by law enforcement in Kentucky and neighboring states.

Newsome was extradited to Kentucky Monday and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. He has since left that detention center.