DeSoto County inmate facing additional five years after brief escape
Witnesses said Stephen Russell Jr. briefly drove west on Commerce Street away from the courthouse. He was captured less than a mile from where he escaped, the sheriff said. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
A DeSoto County inmate serving 10 years for drug-trafficking charges could pick up an extra five years behind bars following a brief escape from law enforcement earlier this month.
On Monday, Dec. 16, a grand jury indicted Stephen Russell Jr. on one charge of felony escape after he reportedly faked a medical emergency when authorities prepared to transport him from the Hernando courthouse Monday, Dec. 9.
“Our office worked at lightning speed to bring this dangerous individual to justice,” DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said. “Thanks to the swift efforts of my staff and law enforcement, we were able to hold Russell accountable for his dangerous actions without delay.”
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North Mississippi DeSoto County desoto county district attorney matthew barton DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Rob Moore
Rob Moore covers North Mississippi for The Daily Memphian. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English from The University of Memphis.
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