Teams of U.S. Marshals fan out across Northern Ohio daily, searching for sex offenders who have outstanding warrants.
Among their top priorities: "The Agonizing 8." These are eight sex offenders who have been deemed the worst of the worst by the U.S. Marshal Service.
"We named it Agonizing 8 because if you look up agonizing it means causing great physical and mental harm to another, that's what these sexual predators do," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.
MORE: About the Agonizing 8
There is one sexual offender from each of the eight counties in the district of Northern Ohio.
Near and far
In Lake County, Juan Plass, made the most wanted list. U.S. Marshals have been on the hunt for Plass for more than a decade. They believe the suspected rapist has ties to Puerto Rico, New York City and Lake County.
In 2003, a woman told Mentor police she was at a party with a man she hardly knew. She said Plass raped her on the patio of a Mentor apartment.
"We became involved in the case after he fled the area. He never answered to the charges on suspicion of rape," said Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher Snack.
"They don't register for a reason. They don't want to be found. They register at a different address or vacant houses," said Elliott.
How you can help: If you have any information about any of the sex offenders on the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force's Most Wanted Sex Offenders, "Agonizing 8," you are asked to call 1-866-4WANTED. Reward money is available.
