14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Child Sodomy Suspect Re-Arrested

Child Sodomy Suspect Re-Arrested

Reporter: Liza Danver

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

UPDATE, THU, 11:00 AM: A suspected Morganfield child molester is back behind bars.

Matthew Long was arrested Tuesday in Defiance, Ohio, on an outstanding warrant out of Morganfield. He's accused of sodomizing a child for years.

Due to a procedural mix-up, Long was accidentally released from the Vanderburgh County jail earlier this month.

In an Ohio courtroom Wednesday, Long refused to waive extradition, which means he won't be back in Kentucky for a few more weeks. It will take the Ohio governor's signature to send him back to Morganfield.

Still, Morganfield police are happy he's back behind bars.

Police chief Colonel Thomas Carmon says, "We don't want him on the streets because he's suspected of doing bad things to a child and we thought other children may be in danger with him still being out."

Morganfield police have been trying to capture Long for more than a year. The chief says Long has family in Ohio, but he's actually surprised Long would go there, because there's a greater likelihood for capture.

Long's accidental release in Vanderburgh County, sparked an ad campaign by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The mistake happened while Sheriff Brad Ellsworth was traveling on campaign business. Ellsworth is running against incumbent 8th District Congressman John Hostettler.

New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss

UPDATE, WED 3:30 PM: An accused sex offender, arrested Tuesday night in Ohio after he was accidentally released from the Vanderburgh County jail, will stay in Ohio for awhile.

Matthew Long refused to waive extradition Wednesday morning in Defiance, Ohio. Long is suspected of sodomizing a child.

He was originally arrested at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Evansville where he allegedly violated emergency protective orders against him.

Long is also wanted in Union County, Kentucky. He's expected to return there to face additional charges.

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

UPDATE, WED, 9:30 AM: An accused sex offender - accidentally released from the Vanderburgh County jail - is back behind bars Wednesday morning.

Matthew Long was arrested Tuesday night in Defiance, Ohio.

Long is suspected of sodomizing a child and was originally arrested at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Evansville, where he allegedly violated emergency protective orders against him.

Long is also wanted in Union County, Kentucky as well. He's expected to return there to face additional charges after an extradition hearing later Wednesday.

New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss

PREVIOUSLY: A fugitive, accidentally released from the Vanderburgh County jail earlier this month, is back behind bars Tuesday night.

Matthew Long, who is suspected of sodomizing a child for years, violated emergency protective orders against him and was arrested at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Evansville.

He was booked in the Vanderburgh County jail, but later accidentally released.

Acting on a tip, Long was arrested at about 6 p.m. Tuesday in Defiance, Ohio. He's in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio in Stryker, and will have an extradition hearing Wednesday morning in Defiance.

After that hearing, Long, who is wanted in Union County, Kentucky, will return there to face additional charges.