Caught: Fugitive nicknamed ‘The Ghost’

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – The fugitive Deputy U.S Marshals had dubbed ‘The Ghost’ was caught Wednesday afternoon, after an anonymous tip. Keishawna Barksdale was wanted for skipping out on a court hearing.

The Fugitive Task Force says they received an anonymous tip at 3:15pm saying Barksdale was standing on a corner of South and Cortland Ave. Investigators and members of the Syracuse Gang Violence Task Force immediately responded to the area, and she was taken into custody.

At the time of her arrest, Barksdale stated her name was Erika Brown but upon further questioning by investigators, Barksdale admitted her true identity.

Barksdale spent 21 months in federal prison after being arrested and sentenced for her part in a heroin ring, and after she skipped out on a court hearing, a judge issued a warrant for her arrest.

She had been spotted in several places in Central New York for months, until authorities eventually caught up to her Thursday.

Newer photo of fugitive wanted for taking off before hearing
June 2, 2009

Oswego (WSYR-TV) - NewsChannel 9 is profiling last week's fugitive again, after folks across Central New York believe they have spotted the woman deputy marshals nicknamed ‘The Ghost.’

Keishawna Barksdale spent time in federal prison for dealing heroin, and after she skipped out on a court hearing, a judge has issued a warrant for her arrest.

Authorities now have a newer, better photograph of her, and thanks to your phone calls, new information on the unlikely place she had been hiding out.

If you live in Oswego, and you think you've seen Barksdale, you're not alone.  After we profiled her as the Fugitive of the Week, tips from our viewers placed her in the Port City.

The Fugitive Task Force says one caller gave a very specific location. Task force members suited up and headed north. NewsChannel 9 was with team members headed north.

The team knocked on her door many times, but no one answered. After a quick canvass of the neighborhood and call to the landlord, the Fugitive Task Force learned Barksdale was there, but had taken off. “The subject we were looking for was living her, until Friday. They were expected to move out on Friday, and they did.  She definitely was here, we made a positive ID.”

The Fugitive Task Force says the 'ghost' is gone again, but hope the new photo of her will help folks recognize her.

If you’ve seen Barksdale, give the Fugitive Task Force a call at 473-7625.

May 28, 2009

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – She was the only heroin dealer who got away after a 2006 sting. She was nicknamed the ghost, but tips eventually led to her arrest.

The Fugitive Task Force is hoping to have the same type of success now that she has disappeared again.

Keishawna Barksdale spent 21 months in federal prison after being arrested and sentenced for her part in a heroin ring. She’s back on the wanted list for running from authorities.

After being placed on supervised release, she started using narcotics. She was brought into a hearing in federal court to discuss her problems, and see that she got help.

The hearing was just about to get underway inside the federal building, when Barksdale told her attorney she needed to step outside for a few minutes to smoke a cigarette.  The hearing never took place, because Barksdale, took off.

The judge has now issued a warrant for her arrest. “What the courts are trying to do is get her into a rehab program.  Miss Barksdale may think it's worse than it really is,” said Joe Cicarelli from the Fugitive Task Force.

The task force says they are more than happy to work things out with Barksdale.

Barksdale is 5’ 7” and weighs 195 pounds. On her hand is a tattoo of a dog print and the words, “Brooklyn's Finest.” You can give the Fugitive Task Force a call at 473-7625.