U.S. fugitive in sexual battery case nabbed in Lapu-Lapu City

An American man wanted in Mississippi over an alleged sexual battery case involving a mentally incapacitated adult has been arrested in Cebu after an investigation that stretched across counties, states, federal jurisdictions and international borders.

The Bureau of Immigration identified the suspect as 62-year-old John Raymond Fenty, who was taken into custody on September 24, 2026, in Barangay Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, by operatives of the BI Fugitive Search Unit.

The arrest came more than 8,000 miles away from Mississippi, where the case began.

According to the Kemper County Sheriff’s Office, its Criminal Investigations Division launched an investigation into Fenty on July 13, 2026, following allegations of sexual battery involving a mentally incapacitated adult.

Investigators said they pursued leads, preserved evidence and later secured search warrants for two residences linked to Fenty.

On September 5, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, assisted by the Kemper County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, searched a residence on York Road in Lauderdale County.

Later that same day, another search warrant was executed at a residence on Rossie Coats Road in Kemper County.

Authorities said investigators seized a significant amount of digital evidence, which was turned over to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for forensic examination and processing.

But by the time those searches were carried out, investigators learned that Fenty had already left the United States and traveled to the Philippines.

The investigation then turned international.

Kemper County authorities said they coordinated with federal law enforcement agencies and provided information about Fenty to international authorities.

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration said the arrest was carried out following a request from the U.S. government through the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

BI officials earlier said Fenty is wanted to face a charge before a court in Kemper County, Mississippi, involving alleged sexual battery against a person described under the charge as mentally defective, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.

Records cited by the BI showed that Fenty last entered the Philippines as a tourist on July 21, 2026, and later applied to extend his stay until November 18, 2026.

Kemper County Sheriff James R. Moore praised investigators and law enforcement partners for pursuing the case even after it crossed international borders.

Moore said the investigation did not stop at a county line, state line, international border or even an ocean, crediting local, state, federal and international agencies for helping locate Fenty.

Authorities involved in the investigation included the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Embassy in Manila, and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Fenty will be subject to deportation proceedings in the Philippines.

The BI said he will also be placed on its immigration blacklist, barring him from returning to the country.

Fenty was initially detained at the National Bureau of Investigation office in Mandaue City pending transfer to the BI Warden’s Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The Kemper County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and that additional information will be released when appropriate.