He is one of America's most wanted, a former navy-man listed by the FBI as armed, dangerous and wanted for allegedly raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter. That man is 50-year-old Niles Scott and he has been living and working in Belize for the past two years as a taxi driver. Well his run of freedom has come to an end, and tonight Scott is in the custody of Belize police.
The 6' 4", 220 pound fugitive was featured in a sexual predator alert on the Oprah Winfrey Show Tuesday night and on Wednesday a tip led police to a Goal Lane home he was renting. Keith Swift found that judging from where he lived, you'd think Scott had nothing to fear from the U.S. authorities.
Keith Swift Reporting, [keithkswift@gmail.com]
He is listed as a violent sexual predator by the FBI, but every time Scott Niles walked out of his door way and looked down he faced the United States Embassy, which is home to some of the very same federal agents who were looking for him.
Scott lived in a rented apartment at the corner of Goal and Gabourel Lanes, Gabourel Lane being the home of the U.S. Embassy. Neighbors tell us he led a quite unremarkable life. In fact he was so low key that those we spoke to were shocked that he was one of America's most wanted.
Juanita Navarro, Niles' Landlord
"It really shocked me. Last night I was shocked. I am still wondering what was the problem."
And Juanita Navarro has good reason to be shocked. For the past year Scott who is wanted for kidnapping and raping his own stepdaughter has been renting a room from her. Today the room was locked as Scott has the only key.
Keith Swift,
Tell us what you know about Niles Scott.
Juanita Navarro,
"He seemed to be just somebody ordinary. I never saw him get himself in trouble with anybody, he didn't bother anybody."
Keith Swift,
How did you come to know him?
Juanita Navarro,
"Well he just came and said he wanted somewhere to stay. His mother lives in Belmopan but he was back and forth, sometimes he would be by his mother and sometimes he stayed here but I never saw him get himself into any problems; he didn't bother anybody."
Keith Swift,
Looking back was there anything suspicious about him?
Juanita Navarro,
"Well no you know because as I told you didn't bother with anybody, he just seems to be a cool guy so it really shocked me."
Jules Vasquez,
You feel frightened to know there was a violent sexual predator right under you?
Juanita Navarro,
"Well the way I know him, I don't feel frightened because he didn't seem to be like he bothered anyone; he didn't bother anyone."
And though he kept to himself, somebody did notice him and last night police descended on his Goal Lane room and took him into custody.
Scott fled Cleveland, Ohio in May of 2003 when he was released on bail awaiting trial for the rape and kidnapping of his thirteen year old stepdaughter. A federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued but Scott remained on the run. He kept running until Tuesday. If you are asking why Belize well Scott traveled these parts while serving in the U.S. navy. He entered Belize illegally and so his deportation back to Cleveland is expected to be straightforward as Belizean authorities will most likely issue an expulsion order.
Scott is the second dangerous sexual predator on the run from the United States that's been busted in Belize this week. The first was William Lightner who we told you about on Tuesday. Lightner is now back in Idaho.
