Above, Steven Andrew Labrecque (image courtesy of Connecticut State Police)
An individual wanted for multiple charges in both Franklin and New Bedford was finally apprehended at approximately 08.23 am on Monday. The Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit - Tactical Team and the United States Marshals Service apprehended the fugitive identified as Steven Labrecque (DOB: 02/09/1984) at his makeshift campsite located in a wooded area off of Prospect Street in the Town of Woodstock, Connecticut, north of Rte. 197.
Labrecque was transported to Troop D where he was processed according to policy. Labrecque was charged with one count of 54-170 Extradition Arrest - No Warrant. Labrecque was held on a $75,000 cash/surety bond and transported to GA-11 Danielson Superior Court for same-day arraignment
According to the US Marshals, he had apparently been using the site for several months. Labrecque is wanted on charges of child pornography, photographing intimate parts of a child, intimidation of a witness, reckless endangerment of a child, threatening, obscene matter to a minor, assault, and battery.
After attempts to locate and apprehend Labrecque were unsuccessful, local police requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals. The USMS investigation led to the Woodstock hideout.
After his arrest Labrecque was transported to Connecticut State Police where he was processed as a fugitive from justice and awaits extradition back to Massachusetts to face the charges against him.
“The high-risk apprehension of Mr. Steven Labrecque on charges related to child pornography is the culmination of investigative efforts spanning multiple states and involving the close collaboration between federal, state, and local departments,” said Lawrence Bobnick, acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Connecticut.
“Despite his extraordinary efforts to elude capture, the apprehension of Mr. Labrecque demonstrates the tenacity of the USMS Violent Fugitive Task Force and the incredible value our law enforcement partnerships have in fulfilling our mutual mission of improving the safety of the communities we serve,” Bobnick continued.
“The U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Connecticut would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the tireless assistance provided by the Connecticut State Police Swat Team, CSP Troop D, the Douglas Police Department, the Franklin Police Department (Massachusetts), and the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Massachusetts,” Bobnick added.
The Franklin police did not have any immediate comment Monday afternoon, pending their official notification by Connecticut authorities. Similarly, the Norfolk District Attorney’s office, contacted after business hours, has not responded regarding when extradition might occur, where Labrecque might be held, or which county he might be tried in, Norfolk (Franklin), or Bristol, (New Bedford).
According to a published obituary, Mr. Labrecque’s son, also named Steven, died suddenly in 2006 at 8-months of age, while living at the same address still given as Labrecque’s home address. The Worcester County District Attorney did not respond but the Douglas Chief of Police stated that the 2006 death was investigated by the Worcester district State Police.
Labrecque’s connection to Franklin is not yet clear.
Below, Labrecque's hideout (image courtesy of US Marshal Service)