Former Pro Wrestler Returned To Mesa County On Warrant

Stephen Ketcher, MCSO Booking Photo
May 22, 2014

Wanted Pro Wrestler Arrested In Florida, Returned To Mesa County

Mesa County, Colo. -- After photos of Stephen N. Ketcher, 56, of Grand Junction, aired on the local news in Jacksonville, Florida, earlier this month, Stephen walked into the Clay County Sheriff's Office just after noon on May 7, and turned himself in on the Mesa County warrant. Stephen has now been returned to Mesa County and was booked into our Detention Facility at 10 p.m., last night.

Stephen's warrant was issued in February 2014, for multiple counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust--pattern of abuse and sexual assault. The following news release had been sent directly to the Jacksonville area media on May 6, in an effort to ask the public in that area for assistance in locating Stephen. Investigators with our agency strongly believed Stephen was in that area of Florida and had been for several weeks. 

Booking Sheet, Clay County Sheriff's Office
May 07, 2014

The Jacksonville County Sheriff's Office also assisted in sharing Stephen's information via social media sites in early May. We appreciate the assistance from our fellow Sheriff's Offices in the apprehension of this wanted man, as well as the citizens and media in the greater Jacksonville area.

Stephen is currently being held in our jail on a $100,000.00, cash only bond. For information on any inmate in our facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage. A booking photo of Stephen taken today is provided in this post, along with prior photos released and the booking sheet from Clay County Sheriff's Office issued on May 07, 2014.

Previously released to Jacksonville, Florida, media on May 06, 2014...

‘GATORWOLF’ PRO WRESTLER WANTED FOR SEX ASSAULT ON A CHILD 

Fugitive Believed To Be In Utah or Florida

By: Katie, MCSO Intern

Taken March 2014 

Mesa County, Colo. — In March 2014, investigators obtained a no bond, sex assault on a child, warrant issued for Stephen Nathaniel Ketcher (DOB: 09-20-57). Stephen is described as an American Indian male, weighing approximately 285 lbs., 6’ 3” tall, with black hair and brown eyes. His Utah driver’s license photo, photo taken within the last year of him holding a wrestling belt and a photo obtained of him in a casino in Orange Park, Florida, taken in late March 2014, are on this post.

Utah DMV Photo

Undated

Stephen is known to have experience as an over-the-road truck driver, primarily driving between Denver and Ohio, in the past. It is believed he left Western Colorado in February 2014, and has not returned to this area. He is known to have numerous ties to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he spent time in the Department of Corrections for an aggravated assault conviction. He is also known to have ties in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the area around Jacksonville, Florida, where he has immediate family.

Stephen is a past professional wrestler, formerly known under the name Steve “Gatorwolf” Ketcher and was a Western Region Heavyweight World Champion in the 1990’s. He is still known to be involved with putting on camps and promotions, historically in the Utah Area. People should be advised not to make contact with Stephen if recognized, and to immediately notify law enforcement.

Stephen is known to have abandoned his last semi-truck earlier this year, and is believed to be driving a:

• 1995 Ford Aerostar, white in color. The plate on this vehicle may be plate number 497-WOF, Colorado.