"AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK" TO CELEBRATE MILESTONE 900TH CAPTURE ON THE SEASON PREMIERE EPISODE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, ON FOX

Viewer Tip Leads to Takedown of Convicted Child Rapist

AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK has accomplished the remarkable achievement of 900 captures as a result of airing fugitive profiles. The milestone 900th capture will be revealed on the season premiere of AMERICA'S MOST WANTED airing Saturday, Sept. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In November 2004, a jury in Cambridge, MA, convicted Marlon Morris of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old girl. But Morris wasn't in the courtroom to hear the verdict. Minutes earlier, during a lunch break, he had slipped out of the courtroom unnoticed and headed out the courthouse door to freedom.

The Massachusetts State Police named Morris to their "Most Wanted" list and turned to AMERICA'S MOST WANTED for help. After a profile of Morris aired on AMW, a tipster called police with information that the fugitive was hiding in the New Orleans area, working as a construction laborer. This morning, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, working in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, set up surveillance on a location just outside New Orleans. They moved in as Morris walked out to a car, and took him into custody without incident.

Marlon Morris is the 900th fugitive to be taken down as a direct result of an AMW viewer tip - an incredible milestone for the program, which is hosted by John Walsh. "I couldn't be happier that this lowlife is in handcuffs," said Walsh. "Since the very first broadcast of AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, we've been telling people that they can make a difference just by making a simple phone call. The fact that our viewers have done it 900 times now is incredible. I'm proud of the tipster who made that call, and helped take a dangerous predator off the street."

Added Detective Lieutenant Kevin Horton of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section: "It was a great collaborative effort between the Massachusetts State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service from Boston and in Louisiana, utilizing a tip from AMERICA'S MOST WANTED. I am just grateful this dangerous fugitive was captured without incident, and look forward to his return to Massachusetts on behalf of the victim and her family."

The full story of Morris' capture will be featured on the 20th season premiere of AMERICA'S MOST WANTED airing Saturday, Sept. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK is produced by STF Productions, Inc. Lance Heflin is executive producer.