A Texas County inmate who escaped June 26 from a transport van was captured Wednesday in Kentucky.
Sheriff James Sigman said via social media that Christopher Hunt, 33, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Lexington. Sigman shared a photo of Hunt sitting in a chair inside a jail facility with his hands and feet shackled. He was wearing a ‘lucky’ shirt.
“His escape from custody was preventable and his apprehension was a result of many hours of work by the Texas County Sheriff office and the U.S. Marshal service,” Sigman said. “The Sheriff’s Office has taken many steps to correct the wrongs that occurred on June 26 that lead to Hunt’s escape and will continue to build and strengthen the Texas County Sheriff’s Office.”
Hunt, 33, was returning to the Texas County Jail from a court appearance in Phelps County when, according to a probable cause statement, he convinced the transport officer to pull over “so he could vomit.” As the officer opened the side door of the van, Hunt allegedly grabbed the door and slid it the rest of the way open. The transport officer said Hunt had already removed his wrist and leg restraints, and “threatened to kill the transport officer if he attempted to stop him.”
Hunt stole the vehicle and left the scene at a high rate of speed around 10:11 a.m. just south of Edgar Springs. The vehicle was discovered about an hour later near an abandoned home at the end of a county road. Hunt’s jail clothes were found inside.
Hunt, who was returning from a court appearance after entering a guilty plea and received a 20-year sentence in Phelps County Circuit Court at Rolla, was charged with escape from custody with a dangerous weapon, dangerous instrument or by holding hostage. It’s a Class A felony.
Hunt was charged in September 2016 with multiple crimes following a pursuit in Wright and Texas counties. He was charged with two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle, three counts of assault or attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and resisting arrest by fleeing, all felonies.
Hunt also was charged with first-degree robbery in Greene County in connection with a September car theft.