Former fugitive returns to Steuben
BY JOHN ZICK THE LEADER

BATH - Former fugitive Anthony Kroeger was returned to Steuben County Tuesday morning, Jan. 8, and is being held without bail to face charges he sexually exploited children.

Kroeger, 48, of Prattsburgh, was arrested Dec. 29 in Georgia after more than two months on the lam. Steuben County Sheriff's deputies flew to Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 7, to extradite him.

On Tuesday, Kroeger was arraigned in Steuben County Court and was jailed without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 31.

Kroeger was indicted in June on 20 charges - 14 felonies - related to the sexual abuse of children. He pleaded not guilty and was released after posting $25,000 cash bail.

In Oct., he jumped bail after failing to show up for a court hearing in Bath, triggering a search.

Kroeger was believed to be in Chicago at that time, but authorities were not able to find him until he was arrested in suburban Atlanta.

According to published reports, Kroeger's roommate in Georgia turned him in after finding newspaper articles about the man's arrest.

The most serious charges lodged against Kroeger carry terms of 15 years in state prison. He could receive an

additional four years for jumping bail.

The following agencies assisted with Kroeger's apprehension: The Steuben County Sheriff 's Office, the Steuben County District Attorney's Office, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Chicago Police Department, the Wooddale (Ill.) Police Department, the Dupage County (Ill.) Police Department, the Carrollton City (Georgia) Police Department, the Carrollton County (Georgia) Sheriff's Office, the Monroe County (New York) Sheriff's Office and Air Trans Airlines.