NCIS Continues to Seek Information on Sailor Who Escaped Confinement

Quantico, Va. —

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         CONTACT: NCISPUBLICAFFAIRS@NCIS.NAVY.MIL
RELEASE: 12-18-01
DECEMBER 18, 2024 NCIS is soliciting tips from anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of James Tait (Krueger) Praefke, a former Sailor who escaped confinement from Naval Brig Puget Sound, Wash., Nov. 13, 2005 and may be located in the Fort Pierce, Fla. area.

At his court-martial, original charges of child sexual abuse were ultimately withdrawn however he pleaded guilty to stealing, possessing, and transporting ammunition and a grenade, illegally possessing explosives and making a false official statement. He was sentenced to three years in a Navy prison on Oct. 4, 2005, and escaped while awaiting transfer to a prison in California.

Praefke is believed to be a survivalist with previous specialized training and knowledge of firearms. He may be living in seclusion or with like-minded people. He has family ties in the Beverly Hills, Fla., area. A red-haired Praefke, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and, at the time of escape, weighed 220 pounds, was born James Tait Krueger. He is now 56 years old and likely using a false identity.

A poster featuring photos, aliases, and physical descriptions of Praefke may be found on the NCIS website at https://www.ncis.navy.mil/Resources/Have-You-Seen-Us/. NCIS is offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of Praefke. Tips may be reported to NCIS using the NCIS Tips app or at www.ncis.navy.mil. Tips may be reported anonymously with eligibility for a reward.

NCIS is a federal law enforcement agency that investigates felony crime, prevents terrorism, and protects secrets for the U.S. Department of the Navy. NCIS operates in approximately 191 locations, in more than 41 countries. Given the organization's worldwide forward presence, NCIS is often the first federal law enforcement agency on the scene when U.S. interests overseas are affected. To learn more about NCIS, visit https://www.ncis.navy.mil and follow NCIS on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Please send any media queries to ncispublicaffairs@ncis.navy.mil.