Sex offender arrested after fleeing from Deputies

A 43-year-old sex offender was arrested Thursday night after he fled from Deputies and jumped into a canal in Marathon.

George Stemage of the 7200 block of Aviation Boulevard was charged with resisting arrest.

Deputy Garrett Bragg was working a trick-or-treat safety detail at 6:49 p.m. on Dolphin Drive in Marathon when he saw Stemage whom he knows from previous law enforcement encounters to be a registered sex offender in the state of Georgia for a prior conviction of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim between the ages of 12 and 15.

Stemage was in an area where many children were participating in Halloween festivities.

Deputy Bragg approached Stemage to determine his sex offender registration status in Monroe County. Stemage looked at Deputy Bragg and fled on foot.

Stemage ran toward Aviation Boulevard and then Yellowtail Drive.

Capt. Don Hiller, Lt. Derek Paul and Deputy Corbin Hradecky joined the pursuit. All ordered Stemage to stop. Stemage did not stop.

Stemage subsequently jumped into the canal between Yellowtail and Grouper drives.

Sgt. Christian Kellenberger convinced Stemage to exit the canal.

Stemage was taken to jail.