Ex-Councilman Apprehended After Years-Long Manhunt for Child Sex Charges

A former Madison County Council member who resigned while facing 18 counts of child sex crimes was captured on Tuesday after years on the run, according to the county sheriff's office.

Steven Sumner was taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshal Service in Winchester, Kentucky, after an investigation identified a car he was believed to be driving. He had been missing since 2023 when charges were filed against him.

Sumner served on the Madison County Council from 2018 until his resignation in 2021, representing part of Anderson and eastern Madison County. In his resignation letter, he stated that he was "unable to provide my constituents with the representation they deserve," citing missed council meetings.

The charges against Sumner were filed in June 2022 and include top-level felony charges of child molesting, rape, and child molesting of a person younger than 14. He also faces a low-level felony count of failing to appear in court on the child sex charges.