NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Wilson County Sheriff's Office continue their search for a suspected child rapist who disappeared before his court hearing one year ago Wednesday.
Stephen E. Beck, 41, is listed on the TBI's Top Ten Most Wanted fugitive list on multiple counts of rape and child rape in Wilson and Rutherford counties.
Beck, who last had an address at 529 Snyder Ave. in Nashville, is wanted for felony failure to appear in court after not reporting to Wilson County Criminal Court on July 25, 2011, to enter a plea or set a trial date.
Beck was out of jail on $150,000 bond at the time.
In August 2010, Beck was indicted in Wilson County on nine counts of rape of a child, 16 counts of rape and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Beck was also indicted in August 2010 in Rutherford County on three counts of rape of a child.
The TBI said Beck had secretly planned his escape for several months before the scheduled court date, because they found evidence of his internet research and purchases to assist his plan.
Although the investigation has returned leads from several surrounding states and even as far away as Alaska, TBI officials said they believe Beck is still in or close to Tennessee.
Beck is described as a white man with black hair and hazel eyes. He is 5'11" tall, weighs approximately 240 pounds and has a tattoo on his left shoulder of a red heart with the name "April" across it.
In previous TBI news releases, Beck was said to be last seen driving a blue 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with an extended cab and custom after-market front grille. The Tennessee license tag is an "Alabama Fan" vanity plate with an elephant mascot logo number 0260AL.
Anyone who has any information on Beck's whereabouts is urged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND, the Wilson County Sheriff's Department at 615-444-1412 or their local law enforcement agency.
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