Fugitive Sex Offender on the Run for 17 Years Captured in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA - The United States Marshals Service (USMS) has captured interstate fugitive sexual predator, Gustav Schilling. Schilling was booked into the Fulton County Jail and is now awaiting his day in court.

In 1995 Gustav Schilling went to a concert in Henrico County, VA. There, he donned a mask, grabbed a woman, dragged her into the woods, and attempted to rape her. The victim escaped and notified authorities.

Investigators quickly identified and apprehended Schilling. On November 28th, 1995, he was convicted of abduction and attempted rape. He was released from prison in 2000 and placed on probation. During his probation, he was accused of voyeuristic behavior in a residential area. In 2005, Schilling’s GPS monitor stopped functioning. On August 14th, 2006, Schilling went to his job. After work, he disappeared. On September 14th, 2006, the Richmond City District Court issued a warrant charging Schilling with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

As soon as that warrant was issued, the Virginia State Police contacted the U.S. Marshals Service for the Eastern District of Virginia, who began their search. Deputy Marshals stayed on Schilling’s trail, pursuing him throughout the Southeastern United States. The Deputies never stopped hunting. In the spring of 2022, investigators developed information that Schilling was utilizing the name “David Layton” and was possibly in the Atlanta metro area.

On January 27, 2023, Deputy Marshals found Schilling leaving a construction site on the North side of Atlanta, near the intersection of Lindbergh Drive and Armand Road. He was arrested and brought to the Fulton County Detention Center—where he awaits justice.

About the investigation and capture, Chief Deputy United States Marshal J.B. Stevens said, “The United States Marshals Service will never stop our pursuit of violent fugitives. The mission of enhancing public safety, keeping our local communities safer, and ensuring sex offenders are properly monitored is critical. We are honored that it is our responsibility. No matter how long a fugitive runs, we will find them.”

 

The U.S. Marshals Service is the primary federal agency charged with conducting fugitive investigations throughout the country. The U.S. Marshals Service regularly works in concert with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sex offenders. The U.S. Marshals Service has established task forces throughout the nation, and professional relationships worldwide, to facilitate the apprehension of fugitives.