Medford, OR – After evading authorities for several years, fugitive Shawn Christian Higbee has been apprehended in Cambodia, bringing an end to a lengthy and complex manhunt. Higbee, who was born on May 29, 1983, had been a wanted man since 2019, when an arrest warrant was issued in Josephine County, Oregon, on charges of Sodomy 1.
Despite efforts by local law enforcement to track him down, Higbee managed to elude capture, reportedly fleeing the United States shortly after the warrant was issued. For years, his whereabouts remained a mystery, frustrating authorities and leaving the case unsolved.
However, in recent months, a significant breakthrough was made in the case. The Crimes Analyst for the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the United States Marshals Service (USMS), was able to pinpoint Higbee’s location overseas. Using advanced investigative techniques, the analyst tracked Higbee’s movements to Cambodia, a critical development that allowed authorities to focus their efforts on his precise whereabouts.
Once the location was confirmed, the USMS coordinated with its international apprehension team, leading to a joint operation that resulted in Higbee’s arrest on December 17, 2024. The fugitive was taken into custody by Cambodian authorities and is currently being held in a local jail while awaiting extradition to the United States.
Higbee’s capture marks the end of a years-long pursuit, but it also highlights the success of international law enforcement collaboration. Local law enforcement agencies, working alongside federal authorities like the USMS, demonstrated their ability to track down fugitives even when they flee across international borders.
Once extradited, Higbee will be transported back to Oregon to face the charges against him. He will be held in the Josephine County Jail, where he will await trial.
Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of Higbee’s arrest or how the USMS and international teams coordinated the operation. However, the case is being hailed as a success in the ongoing battle against fugitives who attempt to evade justice by fleeing the country.
The investigation has also underscored the importance of global cooperation in the fight against crime, with law enforcement agencies from both the U.S. and Cambodia working together to apprehend a fugitive who had managed to remain at large for years.
As Higbee awaits his return to the United States, the case serves as a reminder that even those who believe they can escape the long arm of the law may eventually be brought to justice, no matter where they go.