Man Wanted in Moreno Valley for Attempted Murder and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution Arrested in Oklahoma

PONCA CITY, OK—A man wanted for attempted murder in Riverside County was arrested in Ponca City, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, announced Bill Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Leon Lowe, 24, was wanted for a shooting that occurred in Moreno Valley, California, on May 29, 2013, that left one victim hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting was investigated by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Moreno Valley Station, whose detectives identified Lowe as the person responsible.

On June 17, 2013, a felony warrant was issued in Riverside County charging Lowe with attempted murder. Shortly after the issuance of the Riverside County warrant, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the FBI’s Inland Regional Apprehension Team (IRAT) in order to locate Lowe, who was believed to have fled the state of California. On July 22, 2013, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Lowe in the United States District Court, Central District of California, charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP).

Information developed by investigators indicated that Lowe fled California for Ponca City, Oklahoma. IRAT contacted the FBI’s Oklahoma City Division, whose agents coordinated efforts to locate Lowe by working with the Ponca City Police Department (PCPD). As a result, on July 24, 2013, officers with the PCPD arrested Lowe pursuant to his active warrants.

The fugitive investigation was conducted by the IRAT, which is made up of agents and officers with the FBI; Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; Riverside Police Department; and the San Bernardino Police Department. The arrest of Lowe was based on a collaborative working relationship among agents with the FBI’s Los Angeles and Oklahoma City Field Offices and the Ponca City Police Department.

Lowe is being held at the Kay County Jail in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and is expected to be transported to Riverside County in the near future. It is anticipated that the United States government will dismiss the federal warrant charging Lowe with UFAP and that he will remain in custody while he awaits prosecution for the state charge by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

The FBI continues to work with local law enforcement to apprehend violent criminals charged with state crimes who then flee the jurisdiction interstate or internationally. Photos and descriptions of many fugitives wanted by the FBI can be found at www.fbi.gov.

Media Contact:

FBI Los Angeles Press Relations: 310-996-3343