Tennessee teacher, teen, found in Northern California

The Tennessee teacher on the run for weeks with a female student, was arrested Thursday in northern California.

According to a press release from the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, deputies received a tip Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at about 9:00 p.m., that a vehicle matching the description of Tennessee kidnapping suspect Tad Cummins, 50, was seen in the Cecilville area of Siskiyou County.  Cecilville is a small rural community located in a mountainous area of the county about 68 miles southwest of the county seat, Yreka. 

The tipster indicated that an adult male and a young female were staying in a cabin Cecilville.  Deputies responded to the scene and verified that the vehicle, a 2015 Nissan Rogue, silver in color, matched the description broadcast nationwide via an Amber Alert dated March 13, 2017.  The original broadcast indicated the kidnap suspect; Mr. Cummins was possibly armed with two firearms, which prompted a tactical response by the Department’s Special Response Team (SRT).

The SCSO SRT responded to the scene, established a perimeter around the cabin, then waited for Timmons to come out of the cabin on his own. It was at around 9:30 a.m. that Cummins walked out of the cabin and was taken into custody by SCSO SRT members without incident.  The teenaged girl also came out of the cabin, and was taken into protective custody.

Deputies say two loaded handguns were found in the cabin.   

Officials with the Sheriff's Office say the victim appeared to be in good health, and Cummins cooperated with law enforcement authorities at the scene.  He was booked into the Siskiyou County Jail in Yreka on a Maury County, TN fugitive arrest warrant for aggravated kidnapping.  Memphis FBI and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officers are on their way to Siskiyou County to continue their investigation.  The kidnapping victim has been transferred to FBI Agents assigned to the Redding, CA office.  She will undergo a forensic interview and as a crime victim, receive the care that she needs at this time. 

Cummins will be arraigned on Friday.  In addition to the Tennessee kidnapping charges, he may face similar charges in Siskiyou County, and charges for possession of stolen property. 

“I would like to commend the citizens that played a role in bringing Mr. Cummins’ activities to our attention, which led to a response by members of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office," said Sheriff Jon Lopey.  "I am proud of the men and women of this Department that played a role in this potentially dangerous surveillance and arrest, especially the Special Response Team responsible for the safe and successful resolution of this 6-week ordeal. On behalf of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to the victim, her family, friends, and the all involved law enforcement officers and other members of the justice system as this investigation continues to achieve justice for all concerned.”

Anyone with any information about the activities of Cummins or his victim is urged to contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office 24-hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900.