PRESS RELEASE
On Wednesday, July 15th, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) apprehended a subject with an outstanding Manslaughter warrant at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH). LCSO Detective Sergeant Billy Knox worked closely with officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Houston Police Department (HPD) Airport Division.
Sergeant Knox had received information that the subject named in the arrest warrant would be flying out of IAH on the evening of July 15th. Further investigation determined that the subject was scheduled to depart on a plane bound for Africa. Though the timeframe was short, the three agencies were able to successfully detain and arrest the subject at IAH without incident. He was transported to the Liberty County Jail by an LCSO deputy.
“A critical component in our homeland security effort is the apprehension of fugitives from justice,” said Atlanta Port Director, Stephen Kremer. “Our cooperation with the local, state and federal partners is valuable to remaining vigilance as we work in keeping communities safe throughout the United States.” In Houston and at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, CBP officers were in position to ensure he did not board an international flight allowing him to flee the country.
LCSO Sheriff Bobby Rader had similar view. “This was another great example of municipal, county and federal law enforcement working together to bring about a quick apprehension. Even a short delay might have allowed the suspect to flee the country,” said Sheriff Rader.
Danny Ray Butts, 24, of Splendora, was arrested at IAH for the offense of Manslaughter. The original case was investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety in 2013. Butts was subsequently transported to the Liberty County Jail. On July 17th, Justice of the Peace Stephen Hebert set bond at $20,000. Danny Butts was released on bond that evening, and will have court proceedings scheduled for a later date.
