Jan 22, 2021

1 of 3 inmates who escaped Missouri jail captured in New Mexico

Posted Jan 22, 2021 1:30 PM
Brown-photo Ironton Police
Brown-photo Ironton Police

IRONTON, Mo. (AP) — One of three inmates who escaped from a southeast Missouri jail last weekend has been captured in New Mexico, federal authorities said.

Tracy Brown, 57, and his girlfriend were arrested late Wednesday night at a gas station in Carrizozo, New Mexico. The other two escapees, Dwight Abernathie, 36, and Samuel Gillam, 35, remained at-large.

Abernathie photo Ironton PD
Abernathie photo Ironton PD

The three escaped from the Iron County jail on Jan. 15 or Jan. 16 by moving a block wall, climbing into an attic and escaping through an old office, officials said. Earlier in the week, Iron County Sheriff Jeff Burkett had said authorities believed the men were likely still in the area, but the U.S. Marshals Service said Brown told investigators after his arrest that the three had driven to Colorado together and split up in Denver.

Gillam-photo Ironton PD
Gillam-photo Ironton PD

Brown was jailed on burglary charges at the time of his escape, officials said. Abernathie was being held on assault and sodomy charges and Gillam on a kidnapping count.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Abernathie and Gillam.