HARRISBURG, Penn., February 8. BECAUSE of his close ties to swimming, the FBI is requesting the assistance of the swimming community in locating the following fugitive. The FBI wanted poster for this individual may be viewed at www.fbi.gov/mostwant/fugitive/feb2005/febtrites.htm:
LORRIE JOHN TRITES, the former head swimming coach at a college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was charged in 1998 with six counts of violating Pennsylvania’s wiretap law for allegedly secretly videotaping female swimmers in “various stages of undress.”
Trites was charged with placing a video camera in the women’s locker room at the college’s Sports and Recreation Center and taping various women at various times between December of 1997, and January of 1998. The video camera, wrapped in towels, was first discovered by two members of the women’s swim team, who then turned the camera and tape over to Trites. Trites also faces a Tampering-with-Evidence charge as a result of his erasing his image from the videotape before turning it over to police.
Knowing he was under investigation, Trites apparently fled Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in February of 1998, abandoning his apartment and leaving his leased Mercury Mountaineer in front of an auto dealership at a local train station. Inside the vehicle, police found Trites’ wallet, credit cards, and laptop computer, but not his passport. While a fugitive, Trites is known to have traveled to Trinidad from May 1, 1998 to October 1, 1998. As a result of his apparent flight over interstate lines, a federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant was issued for Trites on April 4, 1999.
In the past, Trites has spoken to friends about how Trinidad is an up and coming country for swimming and he has known contacts there. Trites also has ties to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, and Canada. Because he abandoned all of his old identification, Trites is believed to now be operating under a different name and identity.
Trites is a 1983 graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he was on the swim team. He was a four-time Big East Champion and eight-time New England Champion in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke and is very proud of these accomplishments. Before becoming a fugitive, Trites founded the Trident Aquatic Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and coached on various college, high school and club teams. As a coach, Trites had certifications or memberships from the College Swimming Coaches Association (CSCAA), American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) and United States Swimming.
Trites has been featured on “America’s Most Wanted” multiple times and his physical characteristics should make him noticeable. Trites is very tall (6’7”) and is most likely overweight, although it is a possibility that he may have lost weight in an effort to alter his appearance. He usually wears some type of facial hair, but may have shaved both his face and head in order to alter his appearance.
Trites does not like his given first name of Lorrie and instead usually goes by the names John or, “Buddy.” He also might use the alias John Morgan.
Trites has been totally immersed in swimming since he was seven years old and has described swimming as his, “entire life.” Trites may currently be employed or seeking employment with some type of swimming program, organization, or aquatic facility.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND THIS PERSON YOURSELF. HE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
If you have any information concerning LORRIE JOHN TRITES, please contact the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office of the FBI at (717) 232-8686, your local FBI Office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
