PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities in Pinellas County have arrested a fugitive wanted by the FBI who had been on the run for more than a month.


What You Need To Know

  • Sean Williams, who had been on the run after escaping custody from a transport van for more than a month, was taken into custody Tuesday night, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office 

  • Employees at the 7-Eleven said they called 911 after recognizing a tattoo on Williams, and that he asked for a mask while checking out 

  • Williams was in custody for three counts of producing child pornography, aggravated sexual battery of a child under 13, and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Sean Williams, 52, was taken into custody Tuesday night after deputies responded to a suspicious person call near a 7-Eleven.

An employee at the store, Cliff Clingenpeel, says his co-worker Tasha recognized tattoo markings on what he thought was a normal customer.

"She asked me when he first came if that was the guy they were looking for. I was like, 'I don't think so.' Because the picture I seen was blurry," said employee Cliff Clingenpeel. "She recognized the tattoo and matched the one that he had on him."

Despite initial doubts, Clingenpeel says Tasha called 911 after the customer asked if they had any masks.

Police captured Williams less than a block away from the 7-Eleven on the Pinellas Trail.

Clingenpeel says law enforcement came back to the store to let them know they found and arrested him.

"I'm just glad we got one of them people off the street," he said.

Williams was wanted for escaping custody from a transport van on Oct. 18 while being moved from a facility in Kentucky to a federal courthouse in Tennessee.

He was in custody for three counts of producing child pornography, aggravated sexual battery of a child under 13, and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. He is also facing several federal charges, including escape and distribution of cocaine.

Authorities said Williams escaped through a broken window in the transport van. He also reportedly stole a vehicle near Greeneville, Tennessee, which led to the search in Florida.

He had managed to evade capture for 34 days before being seen in Pinellas County.