Crime & Justice

Man wanted for sexual abuse of minor found dead along Seward Highway

Update, 12:30 p.m. Sunday: Alaska State Troopers on Saturday found Joseph Melton, 41, dead of an apparent suicide inside a Chevrolet Tahoe parked around Mile 87.5 of the Seward Highway.

Troopers had been in the area as part of an unrelated missing person case, troopers said in an online dispatch Sunday.

The Tahoe was found parked "in the woods out of view from the Seward Highway," according to the dispatch.

His next of kin has been notified, according to the dispatch.

Original Story: Anchorage police are seeking a man accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl last month and are asking for the public's help in finding him.

Police spokeswoman Renee Oistad said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that Joseph Frederick Melton, 41, is accused of abusing the girl during a sleepover.

"The father of the friend knows Melton, and Melton was in the house during the time of the sleepover," Oistad wrote. "Melton sexually assaulted the 13-year-old and then subsequently broke his own cell phone in an attempt to keep the victim from calling her parents."

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After the victim reported the assault, police obtained an arrest warrant against Melton on a felony count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, as well as two misdemeanor counts of violating a restraining order.

The victim's father had obtained a stalking order against Melton barring him from contact with the girl -- but police say Melton subsequently spoke with her in person and gave her gifts.

"All indications are that Melton has a fixation on this particular 13-year-old girl and police are concerned for her safety specifically," Oistad wrote. "While there is no inkling at this time that there are other victims, Anchorage police would like to be contacted should that not be the case."

Oistad declined to say where in Anchorage the assault had taken place. She said there wasn't any indication that Melton was armed or dangerous.

Police say Melton is aware of the arrest warrant and ask anyone who sees him or has information on anyone else he has abused to call Detective Leonard Torres at 786-8573, police dispatchers at 786-8900 or Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP. Crime Stoppers can also be reached via its website.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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