A local Florida police officer made a significant arrest over the weekend when she apprehended a man on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list during a routine traffic stop. Sgt. Michelle Bilbrey of the Lady Lake Police Department arrested Donald Eugene Fields II, 60, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27/441 and Rolling Acres Road in Lady Lake.
Fields, who is facing federal charges of child sex trafficking and state charges of child rape, was taken into custody after Bilbrey discovered that the vehicle he was driving had an unregistered license plate. Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt commended Bilbrey and the department for their vigilance and dedication to everyday policing.
Chief Hunt emphasized the importance of routine encounters for law enforcement officers, stating that every traffic stop presents an opportunity for justice. He praised Bilbrey's sharp instincts and commitment to service, highlighting how a seemingly ordinary traffic stop can lead to a significant arrest, making the community safer.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson also lauded the efforts of the Lady Lake Police Department, acknowledging their proactive policing that resulted in the capture of one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives. Donald Eugene Fields II was added to the list in May 2023 and had been a fugitive since March 2022.
Fields faces state charges in Missouri, including statutory rape, statutory sodomy, child molestation, and witness tampering. Additionally, he was federally indicted in St. Louis for attempting to recruit and exploit a minor for commercial sex acts between 2013 and 2017.
Following his arrest, Fields will appear in federal court in Florida to face the charges against him. The town of Lady Lake, located northwest of Orlando, played a crucial role in the apprehension of this dangerous fugitive, demonstrating the dedication of law enforcement to keeping communities safe.
