Former Abilene Youth Pastor Added to 15 Most Wanted List

ABILENE, TX – A former Abilene youth pastor has been named by the U.S. Marshals as one of their 15 Most Wanted Fugitives. Investigators believe he may have fled to Mexico.

According to KTXS, 47-year-old Jeffrey Winston Forrest is wanted for two counts of aggravated assault of a child. He is also wanted for bail jumping and failure to appear.

Forrest worked as a daycare at the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in the ‘90s and served as a youth minister to multiple churches in Abilene. Investigators believed he used his position at the churches to gain access and groom his victims. 

In April of 2015, Forrest was accused by four boys who alleged he had sexually assaulted them. Forrest’s trial was scheduled for August of 2016, but he never showed up to court. U.S. Marshalls believe he never intended to face the charges.

“It was discovered Forrest planned to flee to Mexico and obtain a new identity,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Darrell Clark of the Northern District of Texas.

Investigators have credible evidence that implies Forrest fled to Mexico, but the trail has grown cold. It is believed Forrest is using his knowledge of the dark web and communication software to mask his digital footprint.

Forrest is 6-foot, 250 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. He could be wearing prescription glasses and takes medication for several medical conditions. He has what is described as a “boisterous personality and tends to speak loudly when he talks.” He also has a tattoo of a Star Wars symbol on his right leg.

The manhunt for Forrest began in June 2019 when he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

“The unimaginable crimes allegedly committed by Jeffrey Forrest make him a significant threat to the public, especially children,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington. “The U.S. Marshals will leave no stone unturned until he is behind bars to face justice.”

U.S. Marshals are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading directly to his arrest. Anyone with information should notify the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office, the agency’s Communications Center at 1-877-WANTED-2, or through a tips app at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.