KEVIN ESTERLY

The Wetzel County Sheriff’s Department is being commended by Pennsylvania law enforcement after arresting a man wanted on child rape charges in that state.

After two high speed pursuits, deputies captured Kevin Michael Esterly, 53, of Whitehall Township, Pa., who was wanted on child rape charges, according to a social media post by Wetzel County Sheriff Eric Daugherty.

Esterly has been charged in Pennsylvania with rape, two counts each of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, all felonies of the first degree; and indecent assault of a person younger than 13 years old and endangering the welfare of children — parent/guardian/another commits offense, felonies of the third degree, according to Lehigh County, Pa., District Attorney Gavin Holihan.

According to Northern Regional Jail information, Esterly is being held in the facility without bond.

Esterly allegedly fled an initial stop by Paden City Police Department Officer Justin Bowman late Tuesday, reportedly reaching speeds exceeding 140 mph. New Martinsville police joined the pursuit but backed off when traffic became too heavy.

Hours later Sheriff Deputies Brooks Parsons and Cody Elliott spotted Esterly and attempted to pull him over.

“I believe when he went to take off again he ended up wrecking his car before he had time to get it going again,” Bowman said.

Bowman said Esterly would be facing local charges of felony fleeing with reckless indifference.