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Most wanted pedophile in the US may have been in Whitehorse

The most-wanted pedophile in the United States may have been in Whitehorse recently. Frederick Cecil McLean, 58, is wanted for molesting several girls, some as young as five, in San Diego over a period of 20 years. McLean, who a
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The most-wanted pedophile in the United States may have been in Whitehorse recently.

Frederick Cecil McLean, 58, is wanted for molesting several girls, some as young as five, in San Diego over a period of 20 years. McLean, who also goes by Rick, is 15th on the US Marshals Service’s most-wanted fugitive list.

McLean used his position as a Jehovah’s Witness ministerial servant to assault young girls and was able to elude suspicion from within the church until 2005.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in January 2005 when he was charged with five different sexual assault charges.

McLean soon sold his vintage race car repair company, left his wife and went into hiding. Since the warrant was released four years ago, multiple victims have come forward with more than 100 claims of being molested by McLean while he worked for the church, according to San Diego police.

McLean is an experienced woodsman and may be frequenting campgrounds. He is believed to be carrying substantial amounts of cash after selling his company.

McLean is still considered armed, dangerous and in desperate need to assault again, according to America’s Most Wanted’s website. The show featured the fugitive in March 2007.

Whitehorse RCMP wouldn’t say how they or US Marshals received the tip about McLean visiting Whitehorse, but police are asking anyone with information to call the RCMP or Crimestoppers immediately.

The US Marshals Service offers a $25,000 reward for information leading directly to McLean’s arrest.

“The information we received was sufficient for us to conduct an investigation here as well as notify the public so that they take the necessary precautions,” said RCMP spokesperson Sergeant Mark Groves.

“(Parents should) keep their children safe as they would at any other time, but in this time (they should) be aware persons of this nature do exist and could be in the community,” said Groves.

McLean is five foot 11 inches, 170 pounds and has hazel eyes. He sported a moustache in the past, but a recent photo shows him completely shaven. He has brown hair but may be dyeing it, according to America’s Most Wanted.

Crimestoppers can be reached at 1-800-222-8477.

Contact James Munson at

jamesm@yukon-news.com.