Regional FBI officials take control of manhunt
Copyright © 1998 The Durango Herald. All rights reserved.
 July 7, 1998
Bald Pilon Bearded Pilon Bald McVean Bearded McVean

COMPUTER-ENHANCED photographs by the FBI depict what fugitives Alan "Monte" Pilon, left, and Jason Wayne McVean might look like if they were to change their appearance by shaving their heads or growing more facial hair.

By Justinian Hatfield
Special to the Herald

FBI offices in Durango and Monticello, Utah, have been put in charge of the investigation of Alan "Monte" Pilon and Jason McVean, suspected of killing Cortez police officer Dale Claxton and wounding two Montezuma County sheriff’s deputies May 29 near Cortez.

The Salt Lake City and Denver offices are ready to deploy tactical teams if the need arises, according to an FBI press release issued Monday.

The press release states: "The search for Alan Pilon and Jason McVean is a high priority for the FBI. This continuing effort is being closely coordinated among the Salt Lake City Division of the FBI, the Denver Division of the FBI, and local law enforcement agencies in Colorado and Utah. The Investigation currently remains centered in Southern Utah and Southwestern Colorado, as there is no indication Pilon and McVean have left the area."

Federal authorities are looking for McVean, 26, of Durango and Pilon, 30, of Dove Creek on a warrant for an unlawful flight to avoid prosecution relating to the murder of Claxton, as well as a violation of the federal carjacking statute and another warrant for assault of a federal officer stemming from the attempted shooting of Hovenweep National Monument Superintendent Art Hutchinson.

For related information from the FBI, try these links:

http://www.fbi.gov/fo/saltlake/supress.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/alert/colorado.htm
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