Fugitive from Greene County captured after weeks-long manhunt

GREENE COUNTY, Pa. (KDKA) — A Greene County fugitive who had been on the run for weeks has been arrested.

Greene County Regional Police Chief William DeForte confirmed to KDKA-TV on Sunday that the suspect, Jimmy Butterfield, 43, was arrested on Saturday. Butterfield had been on the run since Aug. 2 after police executed a search warrant at his home.

According to Police Chief DeForte, police had been investigating Butterfield for months on two criminal charges.

Butterfield is accused of running a chop shop and selling illegal motorcycles and parts. He is also accused of dealing mid-level narcotics such as crystal meth, Chief DeForte added.

The drugs obtained were pharmaceutically modified and originally came from Mexico, police said. Authorities believe Butterfield purchased the narcotics directly from a cartel or cartel agents in Mexico.

Butterfield was interviewed at his home on August 2 during the execution of the search warrant.

According to Police Chief DeForte, officers found over a pound of pharmaceutical-grade crystal meth, an illegal sawed-off shotgun, an assault rifle, several stolen motorcycles and illegal motorcycle parts.

Other items found included scales used to weigh narcotics, cutting agents, bags used to package crystal meth and drug-related paraphernalia.

Butterfield then fled his home while officers were conducting a search and has been on the run from authorities ever since.

With the assistance of the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, officers were able to arrest Butterfield, Chief DeForte said.

According to police, Butterfield is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess weapons.