By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) along with the U.S. Marshals Service-Roanoke Division held a press conference last Friday morning outside of the County Sheriff’s Office and Jail announcing the arrest of fugitive Michael Dennis Hightower, Jr of Troutville.
Hightower, 41, was indicted with four counts of aggravated sexual battery by a Botetourt grand jury on October 2, 2023 and then fled to Mexico, according to a BCSO release last week. The seven-month investigation culminated on March 27 when Hightower was located, taken into custody by Mexican authorities, and then into U.S. custody. The fugitive was extradited to Botetourt County from Webb County, Texas last Thursday. BSCO’s investigation is currently ongoing. No court dates have been set as Hightower is currently awaiting arraignment at the Botetourt County Jail.
The informative press conference highlighted the uniformity of BCSO and the U.S. Marshal’s Service in finding, arresting, and extraditing the Troutville fugitive. Botetourt County Sheriff Matt Ward added that local law enforcement believed Hightower attempted to avoid arrest by fleeing to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Ward was joined at the podium by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), Western District of Virginia U.S. Marshal Thomas Foster, Western District of Virginia Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Frank Schermer, BCSO Detective Christie Bolton, officers, and county staff.
“This individual thought he could go to Mexico and avoid arrest but, I can assure you right now today, he’s right here to the left of me (in jail) awaiting trial… What this individual did—going beyond the borders of the United States—certainly poses certain challenges for us. However, they were able to apprehend this individual to bring him back here to Botetourt… This arrest exemplifies the commitment of our officers and the federal partnerships we have with the task force to ensure these individuals are brought to justice, regardless of where they attempt to hide.”
This joint effort was conducted through BCSO in collaboration with CARFTF and federal partners that include: U.S. Marshal Services of Roanoke, Southern District of Texas, Mexico Field Office, and Headquarters Major Case Unit; U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. State Department, and the Mexico State Police.
CARFTF began operations in June of 2004 and has partnership agreements with over 100 federal, state, and local agencies and has eight fully operational offices. The task force successfully apprehended over 102,700 fugitives over the last 20 years and has made an impact on the apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives.
In 2023, BCSO was notified about a sexual battery of a minor, Ward explained. Lead Detective Christie Bolton and BCSO began their investigation. Ward noted the “incredible job” of Bolton’s pursuit in gathering facts and evidence necessary for prosecution.
The task force was led to believe Hightower had connections in Mexico, which “made this investigation more difficult,” according to Western District of Virginia Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Frank Schermer. He explained that Hightower “receiving material support” added to the complexities of the investigation and was a reason why there were so many individuals involved. Schermer added that “it was no short of 100 people” involved in the apprehension of Hightower.
“This investigation is just another example of why (BCSO) joined the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force,” Ward added. “The extraordinary job, the assets they provide—when they turn their focus over to working on missing/exploited children, this was a beneficial move for us. This right here proves why we decided to join this team. It’s been an invaluable asset for the safety of this community.”
Western District of Virginia U.S. Marshal Thomas Foster shared his thoughts on the recent investigation/apprehension of Hightower.
Photos by Matt de Simone
“The partnership with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office is amazing,” Foster said. “Having them on board with our task force has enhanced our ability to go out and do what we do every day and track fugitives.”
The Western District of Virginia U.S. Marshals, based out of Roanoke, hand out roughly 2,700 warrants every year. The U.S. Marshals Service captures over 100,000 fugitives annually and, on average, Marshals arrest 303 fugitives a day.
“The reach of the United States Marshal Service and our state and local partners is long and unwavering,” Foster continued. “The suspect’s presence in the Botetourt County Sheriff’s jail illustrates that it’s still true today.”
Foster thanked Ward and BCSO for their roles in the task force and their “invaluable” contributions.
“We have an exceptional group of men and women who get up every day here in Botetourt County to ensure one thing and that’s to ensure a safer Botetourt,” Ward stated. “I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and the work that they did to make this apprehension and keeping this community safe.”
