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WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI)- A felon has been captured in Williamson County after 16 months on the run, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department.

On March 27, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies observed a U-Haul rental vehicle traveling northbound on Route 166 near Boundary Road pulling a homemade trailer without vehicle registration.

A traffic stop was conducted and while speaking to the occupants a passenger provided a fictitious name and claimed to be from California.

Deputies observing multiple discrepancies in the information provided and eventually identified the passenger as Bryan J. Blankenship.

Blankenship was discovered to have an outstanding Illinois Department of Corrections Parol Violation Warrant which had been issued on December 28, 2022.

He stated he had provided the fictitious name as an alias to multiple law enforcement officers during the past 16 months to avoid capture.

Blankenship was taken into custody at which time Deputies located drug paraphernalia in his pocket.

Blankenship was cited for, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstructing Identification, Blankenship was transported to and remanded into the custody of the Williamson County Jail.

If you have any information concerning this or any other investigation, please contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618.997.6541 or “Submit A Tip” on the Williamson County Sheriff’s App.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s App is a great way to keep informed and can be downloaded at the App Store (Apple/Iphone) or on Google Play (Android).

Your information is important, and those who “Submit a Tip” by using the Sheriff’s App may choose to remain anonymous.