The Federal Bureau of Investigation
today placed Michael Scott Bliss, a convicted felon, on
its "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. He is
being sought for the repeated molestation of a nine-year-old
female victim. Bliss should be considered armed and extremely
dangerous.
It is alleged that beginning
in September of 2000 until approximately April of 2001,
Bliss repeatedly molested the victim. Bliss had finished
serving time in prison for aggravated assault on three
minors just two months before the alleged molestations
began. Many of these molestations, which occurred in Vermont,
New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, were allegedly videotaped
by Bliss. Portions of these videotapes were subsequently
converted to computer files for possible placement on
the Internet.
On April 9, 2001, the State
of Vermont issued an arrest warrant for Bliss charging
him with four counts of aggravated sexual assault on a
minor. On June 6, 2001, a federal arrest warrant was issued
in the District of Vermont, charging Bliss with interstate
travel to engage in a sexual act with a juvenile; coercion
and/or enticement of an individual to travel interstate
to engage in a sexual act; aggravated sexual abuse with
children; and sexual exploitation of children. In addition,
Bliss is wanted on state charges of aggravated sexual
assault in New Hampshire.
Bliss is described as a
white male, 5'11", 195 to 210 pounds, with brown
hair and brown eyes. He was born on March 4, 1965, in
Greenfield, Massachusetts. Bliss may limp slightly due
to an old injury to his right leg. He is balding, left-handed,
and, at times, may wear glasses. Bliss is known to smoke
and rolls his own cigarettes. He is proficient in the
use of computers and enjoys baseball and car racing.
In the past, Bliss has
worked as a delivery truck driver. He is known to travel
throughout northern New England, the West Coast of the
United States, and Canada. He has ties to Vermont, New
Hampshire, and the San Diego, California areas. A vehicle
rented by Bliss on April 7, 2001, was located at the Los
Angeles International Airport on June 6, 2001.
Michael Scott Bliss is
the 470th person to be placed on the FBI's "Ten Most
Wanted Fugitives" list, which was established in
1950. Since then, 441 fugitives have been apprehended
or located, 143 of them as a result of citizen cooperation.
A reward of up to $50,000
is being offered for any information leading directly
to the arrest of Michael Scott Bliss. Individuals with
information concerning Bliss should take no action themselves,
but should immediately contact the nearest office of the
FBI or local law enforcement agency. For any possible
sighting outside of the United States, contact the nearest
U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Additional information
regarding Michael Scott Bliss, including his wanted poster,
is available on the FBI's Internet Home Page at http://www.fbi.gov.
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