Michael Harvey has been arrested in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police confirm.
A murder warrant was issued for Harvey in connection with the death of 23-year-old Valerie Hamilton, who was found dead on Friday.
An agent for the US Marshal's office stated that they believe Michael Harvey arrived in Niagara Falls around noon on Sunday. The agent provided that the Niagara County Sheriff's department got a tip that led to Harvey's arrest. Authorities are saying little, except that around ten thirty this morning, Michael Harvey was arrested just a few blocks from his childhood home in Niagara Falls.
An agent for the US Marshal's office stated that Harvey was found at a friend's house and that Harvey was asleep on a couch and surrounded by heroin paraphernalia.
The white Chevy Blazer that police believed Harvey stole from North Carolina was located behind a local mall. The inside of the SUV had been burned in an apparent effort to destroy evidence. Harvey was taken into custody without incident.
Harvey is from Niagara Falls and has family there. Police have not said where in the town he was taken into custody.
Niagara Falls News 4 tried to interview his family on Sunday, but reported that they did not want to appear on camera but did have this to say, "He hasn't been here in six years, leave. That's my comment, leave. When his father died. That was the last time he was here. We haven't seen him in six years"
Cedar Posts has learned that Harvey was a habitual drug user who stole to feed his habit. As facts emerge so does a less attractive picture of Harvey. His New York conviction in 1996 was for 2nd degree sexual assault, which in New York generally means sex with someone under the age of consent. However consent in New York doesn't apply when the victim is under 17 and the perp is over 18. Harvey was 19 at the time of his arrest.
However the Charlotte Observer is reporting that Harvey, was convicted of 1st degree sexual assault. According to the Observer: "News articles at the time say he met the 20-year-old victim at a bar, asked her for a ride home, then directed her to an isolated spot where he raped her and stole $40. He served four years in a New York prison".
Which makes a pretty good case for guilty as charged.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/09/21/1707444/michael-harveys-criminal-past.html#ixzz10BgkjCon
Further disturbing is that police are only calling this a homicide and not a sexual attack, not a kidnapping. Rumors of Valerie Hamilton's drug use are beginning to emerge as well.
Her 2008 arrest for DWI and under age drinking help shape the picture in the lack of other information.
Hamilton 2008 Mug Shot Photo MeckCo Sheriff's Office
No one will know for sure until the autopsy report is released. However given much of the information known so far there should be some merit given to the possibility that Ms. Hamilton simply over dosed and Harvey panicked.
Which, in that case the 1st degree murder charge would be reduced to manslaughter.
Rodney Monroe unzipped his fly during a presser this morning by telling gathered media that they will not know anything until the autopsy is complete and that they will "increase or modify charges" at that time. WSOC Video of the press conference is here.
Chief Monroe who had been MIA last week, left the presser shortly thereafter.
