BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- Authorities continue to receive daily tips from people who think they spotted James Lee Lawson, a federal fugitive accused of killing and dismembering the body of a 34-year-old Middletown woman.
Although none of the tips have panned out, law enforcement agencies involved in the nationwide search will keep following up on every one, Sgt. Mike Craft of the Butler County sheriff's department said Thursday.
"Sooner or later, he'll be found," Sgt. Craft said. "It's just a matter of time."
The torso of Cheryl Ann Durkin was found floating in the Great Miami River in Hamilton in mid-April. Police have charged Mr. Lawson's mother, Ellen Peck, with two felony charges of obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.
Ms. Peck, 46, of Middletown, was arrested Sept. 1 after she and a relative led police to Ms. Durkin's buried body parts in Preble County and Indiana. Police say she helped her son get rid of the body parts. She is being held in the Butler County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Mr. Lawson, 29, of Middletown has been on the run since a warrant was issued for his arrest Sept. 1.
On Thursday, police investigated a tip about a possible sighting of Mr. Lawson in Butler County, but it proved to be false, Sgt. Craft said.
Last week, a possible sighting caused deputies, with the help of the sheriff's helicopter, to search a wooded area in Franklin Township.
"Following up on some of the leads is time-consuming, but we have to do it," Sgt. Craft said.
The long search for Mr. Lawson also has been frustrating for the relatives of Ms. Durkin.
"It's just running me down because all I do is think about it," said Ms. Durkin's sister, Karla Edwards of Madison Township. "It's hard on the whole family."
She said she and other family members are afraid Mr. Lawson may come after them.
"You're always looking at people you pass by to see if it's him," Mrs. Edwards said. "Somebody out there knows where he's at." She speculated that Mr. Lawson may be hiding out with relatives or friends.
"How they can trust him, I don't know," Mrs. Edwards said. "How do they know he's not going to turn on them?"
