by Jim Kouri, CPP

To his colleagues, Richard W. Gibbs was a respected university professor who taught public relations and initiated a student internship program. But to his alleged victims, he was a sexual predator who taught "lessons" no child should ever learn.

"Gibbs alleged acts were unspeakable and it is critical that we bring him to justice," said U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott.

Gibbs is on the run after skipping an extradition hearing Monday, July 31, and is facing numerous felony counts of molestation and sexual abuse of children.

"Richard Gibbs is charged with 14 felony counts of sexual abuse of children stemming from pornographic images found on his computers while being employed at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania," said U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio.

"He is also charged with molesting a child in California six years ago and facing 10 counts of gross sexual imposition in Ohio in the 1980s."

Gibbs was arrested in late June in North Carolina on the charges stemming from the pornographic images, and was freed on $25,000 bail. After failing to appear for his hearing Monday, a Carteret County, N.C., judge increased his bail to $1 million and issued an arrest warrant.

"Due to his desperate act of failing to show up for his hearing, Gibbs is considered dangerous and it is unpredictable what he may do to avoid capture," said Deputy U.S. Marshal David Siler of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.

"That's why it is so urgent that we get him off the streets and behind bars."

Gibbs is a white male, 65 years of age, who stands 5'9" tall and weighs approximately 215 lbs. Gibbs was convicted in Warren County, PA in August, 1987 for molesting a 12 year old boy during a sponsored church camping trip while acting as a chaperone. Gibbs served 6 months for this offense.

According to the Task Force, Gibbs could be in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, or southeast Florida. Anyone with information can call the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4-WANTED. Reward money is available and your tips can remain anonymous.

On July 27, 2006 The United States Marshals Service was designated by the "Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act" as the lead agency to track down and arrest convicted sex-offenders who fail to register with their local authorities. Even though Gibbs is not a convicted sex offender, he is the type of Fugitive the U.S. Marshal Service lists as a top priority due to the nature of his alleged crimes.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.
He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri's own website is located at http://jimkouri.us
   

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