RAPID CITY, SD – A massive search involving air assets and ground teams took place in the Black Hills between January 30th and February 4th as local law enforcement agencies tracked a fugitive described as armed and dangerous. Jeremy Adam Taylor, 37-years old, 6’2”, 160lb, was originally reported wearing tan hoodie and tan cargo pants. The Rapid City Post found his public criminal record and found various traffic violations and some illegal drug use but no violent crime convictions. In late 2025 he was investigated in Ohio for a more serious crime.
Jeremy Adam Taylor
- Evaded Rapid City Police on Friday, January 30th
- Captured Wednesday, February 4th in Fall River County
- Charged with Simple Assault Against Law Enforcement Officers, First Degree Eluding, and Gross Sexual Imposition(Ohio)
In October of 2025 Captain Shane Hatfield and another member of the Preble County Sheriff’s Office in Eaton, Ohio flew to South Dakota to interview Jeremy Adam Taylor. The interview was short; Taylor did not have interest in being interviewed. After a secret grand jury indictment, Captain Hatfield and the Preble County Sheriff’s office issued a warrant for Taylor’s arrest for gross sexual imposition in November of 2025. This charge involves non-consensual sexual contact.
Over 1,000 miles away law enforcement ran into Taylor on Friday, January 30th during what Rapid City Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Sitts described as a routine traffic stop. While officers were checking Taylor’s driver status, they discovered an active warrant for his arrest out of Ohio.
When officers returned to the vehicle and ordered Taylor to step out, he refused.
“After that, a struggle ensued to remove Jeremy,” Sitts said. “While struggling to get Jeremy out of the car, he stepped on the gas and floored it, dragging a couple of other officers who were nearly run over by him.”
Rapid City police attempted to pursue the vehicle, but Sitts noted that heavy traffic and poor weather conditions forced officers to terminate the chase.
The investigation continued through the night as the Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office worked to track Taylor’s movements. Early on the morning of the 31st, investigators received information placing the suspect in the area of Baker Park Road and Sheridan Lake Road.
Pennington County deputies located the vehicle Taylor had initially fled in and conducted a second traffic stop. While the vehicle was stopped, Taylor was not inside. The driver of the vehicle informed authorities that Taylor had exited the car just prior to the stop and fled into the woods carrying a riffle.
“That’s the first time we’ve heard about Jeremy being armed, which really changed the scope of this investigation,” Sitts said. “He’s willing to evade arrest and apprehension, and he’s prepared for confrontation with law enforcement with a long rifle.”
Following the discovery that the suspect was armed, law enforcement immediately notified residents in the Sheridan Lake Road area to ensure their safety. Multiple agencies remain on the scene as the search for Taylor continues.
Search efforts were being challenged by varied terrain, steep hillsides, thick vegetation, and numerous downed trees from recent storms. Extra caution was being utilized to ensure personnel safety while searching for the suspect. Authorities stated he was known to be armed with an AR-15 and well-prepared for outdoor survival. Authorities confirmed he has a military background but have kept details disclosed for now.
The U.S. Marshals Service, the Rapid City Police Department and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office had announced a $4,500 reward for information leading to the apprehension of Jeremy Taylor. The funds were being offered through the Community Reward Fund, a local non-profit organization established in 1994 to assist in the resolution of serious crimes.
“We are using all available resources that we have at our disposal,” Sitts said. “This is a full scale search and we’re not taking it lightly. We’re going to continue the search until we locate Jeremy.”
On the evening of Feb. 2 and into the early morning hours of Feb. 3, investigators obtained information suggesting Taylor was in the vicinity of Klondike Road off South Highway 16. The Pennington County/Rapid City Special Response Team, supported by a large contingent of officers, converged on the area to search an unoccupied residence and the surrounding timber.
Authorities issued a public safety alert to cell phones across the Black Hills region at approximately 5 p.m. on Monday:
“Public Safety Alert
Local Law Enforcement advises that an armed and dangerous person may be in the national forest somewhere in between 16A and South Rockerville Rd. Police are looking for an adult male who stands 6’2″ tall and weighs 160lbs. If seen, do not approach. Immediately call 911 and report his location. This warning is valid until 12 PM (Noon) on Feb 3rd.”
While the Special Response Team conducted door-to-door contacts with neighbors in the immediate area, Taylor was not located.
On Tuesday, February 3rd, Law enforcement searched the area of 12000 N. Lacrosse Street and 700 block of E. Anamosa Street for Taylor. They are currently investigating how he may have obtained transportation into Rapid City.
Jeremy was finally reported captured at 4:30pm on Wednesday, February 4th by a joint task force in Fall River County.
Taylor was booked into the Pennington County Jail at 8:06pm and charged with Simple Assault Against Law Enforcement Officers, First Degree Eluding, and his original warrant of gross sexual imposition from Ohio.
