Little Rock, AR - A large-scale manhunt began on May 30 in search for two inmates who escaped the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. Earlier that morning Jason Brown, who was a state inmate, and Geronimo Espericueta, who was a federal inmate, reportedly broke a hatch and tore through the ceiling near the shower stalls. They were reported missing by jail authorities at 2:15 a.m. Thursday. The Eastern Arkansas Fugitive Task Force (EATF) responded to the jail facility to begin their investigation by checking phone records, commissary records, conducted interviews of inmates and coordinated with other law enforcement agencies. Tracking dogs were called on scene to establish a direction of travel. It was determined that the two escapees had been picked up by a vehicle a short distance from the jail.
Information was developed by the EATF that the escapees had assistance in their escape and began tracking down the suspect. After conducting numerous interviews, the EATF was able to identify a direction of travel of the escapees. The EATF contacted the USMS and New Mexico State Police to request assistance. The EATF discovered that the escapees were traveling south on I-25 in an unknown vehicle, likely with Arkansas tags. The USMS from Las Cruces office deployed to assist New Mexico State Police in the search for the vehicle. At approximately 4:30 p.m. EST, the EATF was alerted to a traffic stop by New Mexico State Police of a red Chevrolet Tahoe with Arkansas tags outside Hatch, New Mexico, and that the subjects were in custody.
The arrest of the escapees in less than 48 hours should send a message that these types of crimes will receive the full force and resources from the U.S. Marshals Service. By collaborating with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and New Mexico State Police, the U..S Marshals were able to cover a large area which led to the apprehension of these violent fugitives. Additional federal and state charges are pending for both escapees.
*Since 2010, the U.S. Marshals have arrested over 6,900 escapees.
