Fugitive Sex Offender Wanted In MD, Ohio, Germany: U.S. Marshal

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A registered sex offender wanted in Ohio and Maryland has been arrested by federal marshals in Fort Washington.

Stephan A. Pittman, 46, was wanted by the U.S. Marshals in Maryland for failure to register as a sex offender and by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio for failure to appear on prior sex offender registration violations, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Pittman was convicted of sexual assault in Texas in 2009 and required to register as a sex offender under the Adam Walsh Act. Pittman was released from a Texas prison in 2014 and relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. Officials say Pittman violated his registration requirements while living in Ohio and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. Pittman took off and tracked by the USMS to Germany, but he couldn't be extradited under German law and the case went cold, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

While living in Germany, Pittman was convicted of a sex offense involving the forcible rape of a 15-year-old girl. He returned to the U.S. in 2023 and was arrested for his outstanding warrant. He was released on bond but in March, he didn't appear for his hearing and another warrant was issued for his arrest, officials said.

U.S. Marshals also began investigating Pittman for possible violations of federal sex offender registration laws and a federal arrest warrant was issued in March following indictment. Pittman remains in custody in Maryland pending hearings in Ohio and Maryland.

"This investigation spanned nearly a decade and involved law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local levels. Even some abroad. This type of cooperation is paramount to protect our communities and takes a habitual predator off the streets," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.