GILMAN – A man wanted for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl on a Amtrak train Wednesday has been captured.
Iroquois County Sheriff’s office made the announcement late Thursday night. According to local authorities, a clue came when the suspect, Joel T Smith of Michigan, walked into a gas station to buy a drink Thursday. Two female employees working a store near Route 24 and 45 recognized the man due to a tattoo on his neck.
The women allegedly confronted Smith to his identity and proceeded to call 9-1-1.
Smith was charged with Sexual Assault, a Class X Felony, and is being held at Iroquois County Jail on two-million dollars bond.
“We would like to thank all of the officers who assisted in the manhunt, the departments who allowed their officers to come and the equipment and knowledge they brought,” the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday night. “We would lastly like to thank our community for its overwhelming support including food, water equipment and encouragement for our officers.”
Multiple local law enforcement agencies came to the area to help in searching for Smith. Iroquois West School District cancelled classes at area schools Thursday after discussing the local risk could pose to children with Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office. Classes will be held today.
