Cleveland, Ohio: U.S. Marshals Arrest Two Fugitives, Including Man Wanted in Aggravated Murder Case

U.S. Marshals arrested two men in northern Ohio on Friday, October 23, one wanted in a Cleveland aggravated murder case and one a former high school band director facing sex charges in Stark County, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Jayden Lockett, 19, and Stephen Imler, 29, in separate arrests on Friday, according to a Marshals news release. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said the two men were taken off the streets on the same day.

The Cleveland arrest

Lockett was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder, the Marshals said. Task force members arrested him at an address in the 5600 block of Hege Avenue in Cleveland, and a firearm was seized during the arrest.

The charge stems from a shooting on September 29, 2026. Officers with the Cleveland police 5th District responded that day to a shots fired call near the 1000 block of East 68th Street, the Marshals said. Cleveland EMS and fire crews were already at the scene giving aid to two men who had been shot while sitting in a vehicle on East 55th Street.

A 22-year-old man had suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and later died at a hospital, according to the release. A 21-year-old man was shot in the leg, was treated, and was eventually released.

The Norton arrest

Imler was arrested in the 4600 block of Hametown Road in Norton, the Marshals said. The Marshals said he was wanted by the Stark County Sheriff's Office for three counts of sexual battery and two counts of grooming. The Canton Repository reported that Imler was jailed on Friday on three counts of sexual battery and one count of grooming in the Stark County Jail, and that he had been secretly indicted by a Stark County grand jury, which prompted the arrest.

Dan Petricini, a senior assistant prosecutor in the Stark County Prosecutor's Office, told the Repository that all of the charges involve the same victim. Petricini said the alleged battery events occurred this year, and that the alleged grooming began years ago, when the female student was a freshman.

Imler had been the band director and music teacher at Northwest High School. He was placed on paid administrative leave on August 18 after Canal Fulton police contacted school officials about an investigation of alleged misconduct involving a student, the Repository reported. He resigned on September 2, citing personal reasons. The Repository said Imler had held the job for six years, and that the school board approved retired music teacher Rob Newman on August 24 as a long term substitute. A police report cited by the Repository shows the alleged offenses took place between August 18, 2025, and January 16, 2026, and that the investigation was later reopened when new information came to light.

What officials said

"These two violent offenders were taken off the streets today," Elliott said in the release. "Our task force works tirelessly to arrest the most dangerous fugitives, like these, who prey on our communities and citizens."

Anyone with information about a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833) or send a tip by email to [email protected], the Marshals said. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.

The charges against both men are allegations. Neither case has been decided in court.