|
An online dating service helped authorities find the suspect wanted in the slaying of an elderly Nashville couple.
According to his dating Website, 26-year-old Calvin A. Bennett of Nashville likes to cuddle.
Bennett, who was apprehended in Wisconsin, faces charges in the Oct. 30 deaths of Pierce “Ben” Odell, 79, and Mary Odell, 78, who lived southwest of Nashville.
Bennett was arrested by the Marathon County Special Response Team as he left a residence in Rothschild, Wis., about 11:45 a.m. Sunday.
Bennett had registered on the site as “soshysothernguy80,” and his user page showed him in a baseball hat and red T-shirt, The Associated Press reported Monday. Bennett listed his ideal first date as a “nice romantic dinner with soft music followed by a romantic walk or a carriage ride.” He said he also likes to cuddle, according to AP.
Authorities in Arkansas had wanted to talk to Bennett following the deaths of his elderly neighbors, who were shot in the head. Their feet were tied with rope and they were apparently dragged with a 4-wheeler from their home to a wooded area. Authorities say both had plastic shopping bags over their heads.
The slaying story was retold and aired on the national television show “America’s Most Wanted.”
It was a viewer’s tip that led police to a Canadian online dating Website, http://www.plentyoffish.com, operated by Vancouver, British Columbia-based CEO Markus Frind.
A U.S. marshal contacted Frind by e-mail Saturday night. Within 10 minutes, Frind had gathered messages sent by Bennett to five women on the site. The messages ranged from “call me” to “I’d love to talk to you and get to know you,” according to an AP story.
A U.S. marshal contacted Frind by e-mail Saturday night. Within 10 minutes, Frind had gathered messages sent by Bennett to five women on the site. The messages ranged from “call me” to “I’d love to talk to you and get to know you,” according to an AP story.
From the messages, Frind could tell Bennett had moved into a home of a site user. He also found Bennett’s cellular phone number.
With the information, an Arkansas State Police investigator contacted Wisconsin authorities, who tracked Bennett to the home of an 18-year-old woman he had met on the dating site.
According to information from Marathon County Sheriff Randy Hoenisch, the O’dells’ pickup, which authorities believe was stolen by the suspect, was in the driveway, but the tags had been changed from Arkansas to Wisconsin.
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Department Special Response Team set up surveillance on the house and received cooperation from the woman with whom Bennett was visiting.
Police moved in on Bennett when he got in the stolen truck and tried to exit the driveway. He was taken into custody without incident.
On Monday, Bennett was appointed a lawyer in Wisconsin to represent him and decided to fight extradition back to Nashville, said Marathon County Sheriff Department Lt. Scott Parks.
Bennett appeared in an extradition hearing Monday afternoon before Marathon County Circuit Judge Patrick Brady. When Bennett refused to sign the waiver of extradition, the judge scheduled another extradition hearing for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Bennett will be held in the county jail without bond in Wausau, Wis.
Ninth Judicial District Prosecutor Tom Cooper of Ashdown, Ark., said he will contact Marathon County Prosecutor Jo Falftab today to discuss arrangements for the Dec. 19 hearing.
“The extradition hearing usually determines a bond and determines the evidence to justify holding the person in jail. Usually, the extradition is handled through the governor’s office of each state involved,” said Cooper.
“I will find out Tuesday if the prosecutor in Wisconsin can represent me or if I will have to go to Wisconsin to attend the hearing,” said Cooper.
Parks said Bennett indicated Sunday night he would return to Arkansas. However, Parks said by Monday afternoon, Bennett had changed his mind and declined to sign the waiver of extradition.
“I think he realized Arkansas was a state with a capital murder charge, which carries a potential sentence of death. I think he wants to delay the inevitable of returning to Arkansas,” said Parks.
Arkansas State Police Special Agent Joey Beavers, Howard County Investigator David Shelton and Howard County Deputy Bob Ketcherson flew to Wisconsin Monday thinking they would return Bennett to Arkansas.
Cooper said the officers were gathering evidence from the 2001 Chevy Silverado Bennett allegedly stole from the Odells. He said one of the officers will drive the vehicle back to Nashville.
Parks said authorities in Wisconsin are pleased they could help in the capture of a wanted fugitive.
“We understand how devastating a murder can be to a community. We’re pleased we could make the arrest,” he said.
Authorities in Arkansas are also relieved to have Bennett in custody.
“It eases a lot of people’s minds,” Howard County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Eric Wakefield said. He said using “America’s Most Wanted” worked out exactly as law enforcement hoped.
“Our hopes were that after it aired, someone would come to us that knew who he was,” he said, indicating that the sheriff’s office would use “America’s Most Wanted” again “in a heartbeat.”
“Especially with the results we had on this one,” he said.
| 
