A man listed as one of the Baxter County Sheriff's Office's "Most Wanted" individuals was arrested Monday morning in Mountain Home after failing to comply with state registration requirements for sex offenders.
Sheriff's deputies, accompanied by Arkansas Community Corrections officers, located 45-year-old James Lee Lane hiding in a closet at his estranged wife's apartment located at 213 North Church Street. Lane, who had been ordered by the court to remain at a recovery center, was discharged from the facility in September for disciplinary violations. After his departure, he failed to register with the Sheriff's Office, which is required by Arkansas law.
According to Deputy Tanner Anderson, who obtained the arrest warrant in September, deputies had actively been searching for Lane since his discharge. Investigators recently received information indicating that Lane may have been staying at his estranged wife's residence. The woman, currently on probation with Arkansas Community Corrections, has a signed search waiver on file, enabling officers to enter her property.
Upon arrival at her apartment, law enforcement gained access and found Lane in a back room closet. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center. Lane is facing charges of Failing to Register as a sex offender and Contempt of Court.
Authorities have confirmed that Lane is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on December 7 to address the charges.