U.S. Marshals arrest McAdoo man accused of harassing Sarah Palin

U.S. Marshals arrested a McAdoo man Wednesday on a violation of his parole for threats against former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Shawn Christy, 21, of South Harrison Street, McAdoo, was taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshals Service based in Scranton for allegedly violating a condition of federal parole.

Christy was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 8 to five years of probation for making harassing telephone calls to the law firm that represented Palin. He and his father, Craig Christy, were charged with making calls threatening Palin and her attorneys.

Both Christys pleaded guilty to the charges.

As a condition of the five years probation, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess ordered Shawn Christy to spend up to six months in a community re-entry program at a Scranton residential facility.

Christy had his federal probation supervision transferred from the District of Alaska to the Middle District of Pennsylvania in mid-July and entered the Catholic Social Services Residential Program.

While at the Scranton Catholic Charity Center, it is alleged Christy left without approval, was verbally abusive toward staff and caused property damage at the facility.

A fugitive warrant was issued for Shawn Christy on Nov. 21 and marshals in Alaska sent an investigative fugitive task force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to Christy's house after learning he had returned to McAdoo.

U.S. Marshals tried to arrest Christy on Wednesday at his home but Christy fled the residence and was pursued by law enforcement. After a short foot chase, U.S. Marshals subdued Christy without further incident.

At the time of the arrest, Christy was in possession of a knife. U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Blewitt ordered him detained for further court proceedings on the federal probation violation warrant.

Christy will remain behind bars pending his removal to the District of Alaska.

"This cas! e demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Marshals Service to apprehend fugitives who fail to comply with their probation requirements," said U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane.