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Authorities search for veteran who reportedly faked his own death to avoid child rape charges

Posted at 6:58 AM, Feb 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-12 07:00:45-05

MOSS POINT, Miss. — Authorities are searching for a U.S. Army veteran accused of faking his death off the Alabama coast to avoid charges in Mississippi, where he is accused of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter.

News outlets reported this week that in Orange Beach, Alabama, police found an abandoned dingy belonging to 42-year-old Jacob Blair Scott just offshore last summer. Inside it was a note with Scott's social security number that said "I'm sorry" and a handgun tied to a rope.

Authorities searched unsuccessfully for Scott and said it was strange there wasn't any forensic evidence of a suicide. Scott had withdrawn $45,000 from his retirement account and disappeared days before he was set to plead guilty to charges related to the attack on his now ex-stepdaughter.

DNA evidence confirmed he is the father.

U.S. Marshals are hoping someone recognizes Scott and calls with information.

Metro Denver Crime Stoppers pays up to $2,000 reward for information in criminal cases. Call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867.) You can also text the letters DMCS plus your message to 274637. You don’t have to leave your name and can still be eligible for a cash reward.