Police Say Alleged Cult Leader Is On The Run

Russell John Smith is wanted by the Prince William County Police Department for rape and sodomy of a child. According to authorities, Smith convinced a 12-year-old girl to have sex with him under the guise of satanic rituals. Police say he is on the run and has his daughter, Tara Jenine Swiger-Smith, with him.

Smith's Dark Secret

Police say Smith worked days as a Virginia corrections officer. But during off hours, detectives say Smith performed satanic rituals in the basement of his quiet suburban home. According to officials when they searched his home, they found ritualistic material, like black candles, robes, satanic symbols and a goats head.

On August 17th, three days after Smith quit his job as a corrections officer, his girlfriend reported Smith and his daughter missing. Police believe when allegations of rape surfaced, he went on the run and took his 12-year-old daughter with him.

AMW Capture #720

Alleged Cult Leader Arrested

Satan's minions are no match for America's Most Wanted. Accused child rapist and self-proclaimed satanist, Russell Smith, was captured in Oregon.

America's Most Wanted profiled Smith on the August 31, 2002 show and told viewers he was driving a red Nissan Pathfinder with the license plate 100P666. On September 3rd, a deputy in Canyonville, Oregon found a red S-U-V abandoned in a wooded area off the interstate. There were no tags on the vehicle and the VIN number was missing. The officer called dispatch with the information but thought it was nothing more than a stolen car that had been dumped.

But, Diane Chapman, who lives in a neighboring county, was listening to her police scanner and heard the information about the abandoned vehicle. Chapman had seen the America's Most Wanted segment on Smith and remembered his vehicle's description. She called the police to let them know there may be a fugitive in the area. Officers searched the woods nearby and found Smith's license plates. They knew they had Smith's automobile, but police failed to locate him during a subsequent search. US Marshals began to receive calls about possible sightings of Smith and his daughter in the area. They went back to where Smith's car was found the next day. As deputies drove down the road, Smith and his daughter emerged from the woods. The agents pulled up and quickly arrested Smith without incident. Tara was taken into protective custody.