Riverside Police Department Press Release

Suspect Wanted in Kidnapping Arrested in Washington

Riverside, Ca-  The F.B.I.  and Riverside Police Department would like to announce the arrest and return to Riverside of Brian Curtis Butts, who was wanted for a kidnapping that occurred in 1996.  Butts, 42 years old, had been on the run and a Federal Fugitive since 1996.  He was arrested on June 27, 2002, by F.B.I. Agents and United States Coast Guard personnel aboard a 352-foot commercial fishing vessel located approximately 23 miles west of Neah Bay, Washington.

In 1996, Butts, who was on parole, was wanted for questioning in a gang related homicide that occurred in a Riverside residence on August 31, 1996.  The California Department of Corrections issued a Parolee at Large warrant for Butt’s arrest on September 3, 1996.

Approximately two weeks after the homicide, Butts allegedly returned to the same Riverside residence and kidnapped a family member at gunpoint.  Butts was subsequently charged in Riverside Superior Court with assault with a firearm, burglary and kidnapping.

The Riverside Police Department requested the assistance of the F.B.I., specifically the Inland Regional Apprehension Team (IRAT), in locating and arresting Butts.  The IRAT is an F.B.I. sponsored multi-agency Violent Crime/Fugitive Task Force made up of agents and officers from the F.B.I., Riverside Police Department, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino Police Department, California Department of Corrections and The California Youth Authority.

Butts was charged in U.S, District Court with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution and an investigation was conducted throughout the United States in an effort to locate him.

Recently, information was obtained that led IRAT agents and officers to the Seattle/Tacoma, Washington area.  F.B.I. agents there conducted follow-up investigation, which led to the identification, location and arrest of Butts.

FBI Media Contact:
Laura Bosley – FBI Public Affairs
310-996-3343

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Butts will be arriving at Ontario International Airport at 5:15 pm (Tuesday, 7/16/02).  FBI officials will be arranging photo access of Butt’s return to Riverside, CA. All interested media personnel are asked to meet in front of the Ontario International Airport Police Station at 4:30 pm; contact person will be FBI Agent Don Roberts. (Digital photo of arrest attached to e-mailed press release).