LaFAYETTE — It could be a while before a 57-year-old fugitive is brought back to Chambers County to face murder charges stemming from June 1985.

David Anthony Pike was arrested Jan. 17 in Puerto Rico for the alleged murder of Calvin Irvin in 1985.

On Jan. 18, Chambers County Sheriff Sid Lockhart and District Attorney Jeremy Duerr announced the process to bring Pike back to Chambers County has started. Lockhart said Friday that the process could take some time depending on how federal prosecutors decide move forward. 

Lockhart said the U.S. Marshal’s Service is deciding whether to prosecute Pike for federal charges first. Those charges stem from a fraudulent passport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“They haven’t decided if they are going to prosecute him before we get him,” Lockhart said. “If they do, it could be several years.”

The sheriff said he understands the process that needs to take place, but he’s hoping Pike is back in Chambers County sooner than later.

“It has already been this long, and we would like get it handled,” Lockhart said. “At this point, we don’t have any choice really.”

He said investigators are still looking into Pike’s crimes in Puerto Rico after a criminal complaint was filed charging him with willing and knowingly making false statement in a passport renewal application. The complaint was made against an individual named Stephen Williams Varner, who Pike was impersonating.

The case was then referred to the Diplomatic Security Service for investigation. During this time, a death record for Varner was found in Alabama and the investigation confirmed Pike was impersonating Varner, and that he was wanted for murder charges in Chambers County. 

Lockhart said if federal prosecutors decide to allow Chambers County to prosecute first, Pike is then given the opportunity to sign extradition papers. If he signs the documents, then Pike will go before a judge in Puerto Rico and Chambers County deputies will go pick him up.

If he does not sign, Lockhart said the process will have to go through the Alabama and Puerto Rican governor’s offices.

“He’s coming back one way or another,” Lockhart said.

On June 22, 1985, the body of Irvin was found on Chambers Road 84 just outside of LaFayette. After the sheriff’s office responded, it was determined that Irvin had been shot. Investigators developed Pike and King Albert Mayes as suspects and murder arrest warrants were obtained.

Mayes, 19 at the time of the arrest, was arrested on June 25, 1985. On July 2, 1985, Pike was arrested and detained in the Lee County Jail. On July 3, 1985, he posted $30,000 bail in Chambers County and then fled the area.

Mayes later pleaded guilty and served out a term in prison.