Fugitive From Murder Charges in Trinity County Arrested After 20 Years on the Run

On June 6, 1997, David MacLeod, a 68-year-old-rancher, was found dead in his home near the remote town of Kettenpom in western Trinity County. Daniel Clemons and a woman had reportedly visited him on June 4th. Clemons quickly became a suspect and disappeared.

Daniel Clemons in August 2000

Daniel Clemons from August of 2000 when he was arrested in another state. He was eventually let go. [Photo from the Trinity County Most Wanted]

For the next twenty years, he tried to stay off law enforcement’s radar though at least twice he was arrested. “Once in Texas and once in Colorado, [Clemons] gave a false name but by the time the fingerprints came back to say who he really was, he was gone,” explained Deputy U.S. Marshal Billy Banks.

This last Friday, his luck ran out. Clemons was arrested in Okay, Oklahoma where he had lived at least 10 years doing odd jobs.

According to Banks, “We got information from a confidential informant that he was living there under the name of Steven Shade.”

Banks who works in the area said at first they investigated through records. “We tried to do some checking. We couldn’t find an ID or a Social Security number for Steven Shade.” When that didn’t work, Banks said he, “conducted what little surveillance that I could.”

Eventually, the US Marshals showed up at Clemons’ trailer at 6 a.m on Friday, August 25. “He came right to the door,” Banks said. “He immediately admitted he was Daniel Clemons. He said it has been a long run [and] he was glad it was over.”

Banks said that Clemons had been living with a woman for 13 years. “She was very surprised and only knew him as Steven Shade,” he explained. “She was very shocked that morning.”

Right now, Banks said Clemons needs to sign extradition papers before being sent back to Trinity County to face trial. “I don’t think he was wanting to fight it,” Banks said after explaining that Clemons maintained his innocence.

 

 

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

15 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Just Saying
Guest
Just Saying
6 years ago

Fantastic to arrest him after so long. Let’s hope he did it.

Movin' on out
Guest
Movin' on out
6 years ago

When will someone be arrested in the disappearance of Louis Taylor in Kettenpom.
Or the murder of Stephanie Gawboy in Redway. Or, or, or, way too many unsolved in our little corner of paradise, eh?

Not missed
Guest
Not missed
6 years ago
Reply to  Movin' on out

Lol, no one cares about Louis Taylor,so no ones looking.Besides whatever happen to him it was a long time coming, one could definitely say he had it coming

Misty fucking taylor
Guest
Misty fucking taylor
6 years ago
Reply to  Not missed

Louie will be found.. And there will be justice ! No matter what anyone does they don’t deserve to get murdered! I know my brother wasn’t the nicest person in the world but he didn’t deserve what happened to him ! I would hate to see your family murdered for their sins !

Wade Harris is shit
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Movin' on out

Because Louie Taylor was shit. That’s why ..Don’t you know. Bishop always take pawn

gunther
Guest
gunther
6 years ago

The article says she was an Okay Okie.

PinkAsso
Guest
PinkAsso
6 years ago

he just could not give up that 80% shaven look over the 20 years of hiding.

Covelo or busted
Guest
Covelo or busted
6 years ago

Wow, i have always wondered about this. Now we know. David Macleod was a nice guy all those years ago.

matt
Guest
matt
4 years ago

How did you know David?

Zach Alkire
Guest
Zach Alkire
2 years ago
Reply to  matt

David MacLeod! So, back in the 70’s my family and I used to visit the MacLeod Ranch. He was the principal at our elementary school in the Bay Area. Always a nice guy. I’d love to go back to that ranch one day if possible. Great place for a kid to run wild. He had mini bikes and we’d drive those around all day. Anyone know of that address? Old Mina Rd?

I_Heart_Alliteration
Guest
I_Heart_Alliteration
6 years ago

Billy Banks vs Steven Shade. I feel like I’m in a Dick Tracy story.

Covelo or busted
Guest
Covelo or busted
6 years ago

What ever happened to Burl Duncan?

Mytruckisahillbeater
Guest
Mytruckisahillbeater
6 years ago

Or gabe !! Lock his shit mom up!!

Up all night
Guest
Up all night
6 years ago

With informants like Rick carrington u would think they would have that co cleaned up

Misty fucking taylor
Guest
Misty fucking taylor
6 years ago

Louie Taylor is my brother and all u mother fuckers can go fuck off and your comments ! He will be found And the people that did it will be punished.. I wouldn’t wish the pain on anyone of a murdered family member.. And just because he didn’t have a mr Rogers background u all think he deserved it hu. Well I hope your family goes to church and never brakes the law . cause you fucking scum think he deserved it . you are lower than he ever was.. He wasn’t liked by few just cause he didn’t take no shit I’m fine with that.. Jeep on thinking that this case is going no where hahahahhahahhahahahhahahahhahahhaha right Where evryong needs to be