News Summary
Donnie Phelps, a 49-year-old man, was captured in Largo, Florida after evading law enforcement for nearly 20 years. Phelps, who had been using the alias Jacob Allen Bush, was wanted for serious child-related crimes in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His arrest was the result of a collaborative effort among multiple law enforcement agencies and followed a long-standing warrant. Phelps had been living under the radar, recently inheriting a home, until a chance discovery revealed his true identity. He is now facing extradition to Kentucky to answer for his crimes.
Largo, Florida – Donnie Phelps, a 49-year-old man, was arrested on April 29, 2025, in Largo, Florida, after nearly 20 years of evading law enforcement for serious child-related crimes committed in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Phelps, who had a history of criminal activity, had been using the alias Jacob Allen Bush since relocating to Florida.
Phelps was apprehended at a residence located at 869 6th Avenue NE, just 1,200 feet from the Largo Police Department headquarters. His arrest followed a long-standing warrant and was carried out by law enforcement officials from multiple agencies, including the Largo Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities encountered Phelps without incident, confirming his identity as a result of their thorough investigation.
Phelps’ criminal record dates back to 2006 when he was originally arrested after leading Kentucky State Police on a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, he exited a moving vehicle while holding a 3-year-old child, which led to multiple charges being filed against him, including first-degree fleeing and evading police, wanton endangerment, criminal mischief, and theft. Following his initial arrest, he absconded while on bail and became a fugitive, ultimately failing to appear in court.
In March 2007, he was indicted on charges of first-degree bail jumping in Warren County, Kentucky. His photograph was shared extensively by the Kentucky State Police on social media in efforts to locate him, with the last post to generate lead information occurring in December 2024.
In 2010, Phelps was indicted by a Warren County Grand Jury on severe charges including first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy involving a child under 12 years of age. These indictments came with a substantial bond set at $75,000. Following these allegations, Phelps managed to evade capture by relocating to Florida, where he lived in a home previously owned by Robert and Travis Coe.
After the passing of both Robert and Travis Coe around 2022, the ownership of the home was transferred to Phelps at no cost, according to Travis Coe’s will. The property was registered under the alias Jacob Allen Bush with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office, securing his place of residence for several years as he lived under the radar.
A chance discovery by a mutual acquaintance led to Phelps’ identification. While cleaning the Coe home posthumously, the acquaintance uncovered Phelps’ true identity and subsequently reported it to the authorities. When confronted by law enforcement, Phelps confirmed who he was, and an online investigation quickly revealed his lengthy criminal history.
Neighbors in Largo described Phelps as a friendly and kind individual, noting how he often assisted them with automotive work, exemplifying a stark contrast to his past crimes. Their perceptions of him as a good neighbor were dramatically altered upon the revelation of his criminal record.
Now in custody, Phelps is facing an active warrant from Kentucky and is awaiting extradition back to the state where he is set to face serious charges. The details surrounding his past offenses and the decades-long effort by law enforcement to capture him serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in ensuring public safety and the importance of vigilance in communities.
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- IONTB: Donnie Phelps Arrested
- Wikipedia: Fugitive
- LEX18: Kentucky Man Arrested
- Google Search: Donnie Phelps Arrest
- IONTB: Teacher Arrested on Exploitation Charges
- Google Scholar: Child Exploitation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- Google News: Child Protection Laws
