A Grainger County man who was reported missing before it was revealed he was wanted in Hamblen County on sex offense charges has been taken into custody in Los Angeles, CA and is awaiting extradition.

Randall Turner was picked up in California on charges of being a fugitive from justice.

The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest was the result of a collaboration between the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office, the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshals Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force.

According to Sheriff Chad Mullins, this is a prime example of what can happen when law enforcement agencies work together.

“Turner was last seen in Grainger County on February 27th and in less than two weeks time, working together, we were able to track him down on the other side of the country,” Mullins said.

“I want to personally thank the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office, the US Marshals Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force and my team for their efforts and the skills they used to get Turner in custody, where he belongs,” Mullins stated.

Mullins further stated that it was the US Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force who made the actual arrest.

Once the letter of extradition is signed, Turner will be transported back to Hamblen County by members of the HCSO.