Latest news with #HuntsvillePoliceDepartment
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Body found on US 231 bridge leads to homicide charge for Arab resident
Jun. 2—A man from Arab is being charged with murder after investigators in Morgan County and Madison County located and identified a body on the U.S. 231 bridge in Lacey's Spring on Friday, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office. Daniel Ray Shelton, 55, is being charged with murder in the death of Arab resident 39-year-old David Merrit. Shelton was being held in the Madison County Jail with no bail, charged with homicide and abuse of a corpse. The Sheriff's Office said the Madison County coroner told them Merrit's body was discovered in a blanket on the side of the road near the guard rail. On Saturday, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office SWAT team along with Morgan County and Huntsville investigators served a search warrant at a residence on Seagrove Road in Lacey's Spring. The Sheriff's Office said Shelton was not present and was located on Sunday. Morgan County Sheriff's Office Investigators, Huntsville Police Department, Arab police and the Marshall County Sheriff's Office assisted during the investigation, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office. — or 256-340-2442.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
FBI offers $20K reward for escaped ex-police chief convicted of murder, rape
The Brief The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of escaped inmate Grant Hardin. Hardin, a former police chief convicted of murder and rape, fled an Arkansas prison last month by impersonating a law enforcement officer. Authorities say a gate was mistakenly opened for Hardin, and it took 30 minutes to realize he was missing. The FBI has announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Grant Matthew Hardin. The backstory Hardin, the former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. He was the subject of the TV documentary "Devil in the Ozarks." He escaped last month from the North Central Unit — a medium-security prison also known as the Calico Rock prison — by wearing an outfit designed to look like a law enforcement uniform, according to Champion. RELATED: Manhunt underway after disgraced former police chief convicted of murder, rape escapes Arkansas prison A prison officer opened a secure gate, allowing him to leave the facility. Champion said that someone should have checked Hardin's identity before he was allowed to leave the facility, describing the lack of verification as a "lapse" that is being Click to open this PDF in a new window. investigated. It took authorities approximately 30 minutes to notice Hardin had escaped. Dig deeper Hardin had a checkered and brief law enforcement career. He worked at the Fayetteville Police Department from August 1990 to May 1991, but was let go because he didn't meet the standards of his training period, a department spokesman said. Hardin worked about six months at the Huntsville Police Department before resigning, but records do not give a reason for his resignation, according to Police Chief Todd Thomas, who joined the department after Hardin worked there. Hardin later worked at the Eureka Springs Police Department from 1993 to 1996. Former Chief Earl Hyatt said Hardin resigned because Hyatt was going to fire him over incidents that included the use of excessive force. He continued to have trouble in his brief stint as an officer in Gateway, according to the 450-person town's mayor Cheryl Tillman. Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to first-degree murder for the killing of James Appleton, 59. Appleton, who was Tillman's brother, worked for the Gateway water department when he was shot in the head on Feb. 23, 2017, near Garfield. Police found Appleton's body inside a car. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was also serving 50 years for the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, north of Fayetteville. He had been held in the Calico Rock prison since 2017. What you can do If you have any information concerning this individual, please contact the FBI's Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at The Source The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from official statements by the FBI and law enforcement authorities, including prison officials and police departments where Grant Hardin previously worked. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
2 inmates caught in Texas extradited back to Louisiana; 2 more still on the run
2 inmates caught in Texas extradited back to Louisiana; 2 more still on the run Two escaped inmates were captured over 300 miles away in Huntsville, Texas. They were extradited back to Louisiana. Show Caption Hide Caption New Orleans escapees arrested in Texas, police body cam footage shows Two New Orleans escapees Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate, were captured in Texas, according to Huntsville Police Department. Two of the escaped New Orleans inmates who were caught recently in a high-speed chase in Texas have been extradited back to Louisiana, where officials said they will be held at a secure facility. The 10 inmates escaped on May 16 when officials said they ripped away a toilet and sink unit in a cell and went through a hole in the wall. Two are still on the run as authorities have increased rewards for information leading to their capture to $50,000 each. Jermaine Donald, 42, and Leo Tate, 31, were extradited back to Louisiana on May 30 after they were arrested in Huntsville, Texas, about 375 miles from New Orleans, the Louisiana State Police said. Authorities in Huntsville said they led law enforcement on a chase through the city before they were apprehended. Both will face charges for the jail escape, and Donald was also charged with resisting an officer. The escapees still at large are Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27. For more than two weeks, they have evaded a massive manhunt and attempts at foiling any assistance they could get from the public, with authorities arresting and charging over a dozen people who allegedly helped inmates break out or stay on the run. Who are the inmates still on the run? The inmates escaped in the early morning hours of May 16, and three were recaptured by the end of the day. A week later, two more were nabbed. Within two weeks, authorities had caught all but two, Groves and Massey. Groves was convicted of two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder in October in connection with a shooting during Mardi Gras in 2018, according to a statement from the district attorney's office. Groves has been awaiting sentencing on a manslaughter charge since October, according to a news release from the governor's office. He also faces a charge of battery against a correctional facility employee, the Associated Press reported, citing court records. Catching a fugitive: How NOLA, Arkansas escapees are being tracked Massey is charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle, according to Orleans Parish records. There also is a warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from an incident in November, a spokesperson for the parish sheriff's office told USA TODAY. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, Jorge L. Ortiz, and N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
Watch 2 New Orleans jail escapees be captured after leading police on high-speed chase
Watch 2 New Orleans jail escapees be captured after leading police on high-speed chase Two jail escapees, Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27, remain at large. Show Caption Hide Caption New Orleans resident says sheriff 'failed us' after jail escape New Orleans resident Lakisha Catchings lives near where one of 10 escaped inmates was apprehended. She says the sheriff failed to protect the city. Police bodycam footage shows the moment two New Orleans jail escapees were taken into custody after leading officers on a high-speed chase and dodging law enforcement for nearly two weeks. Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate were arrested in Huntsville, Texas, on May 26 after leading law enforcement officers from various agencies on a high-speed chase throughout the city. Both men were charged with outstanding warrants for escaping the jail on May 16, but Donald also faces a charge of resisting an officer. Donald's original charges, for which he was in the New Orleans jail, were illegal carrying a weapon and second-degree murder. Tate's original charge was obstruction of justice. Once apprehended, both men were taken to the Walker County Jail for processing, according to Huntsville police. Huntsville police released the bodycam footage of the arrests on May 27 via Facebook, saying in the social media post, 'This incident underscores the vital role of cooperation and communication among local, state, and federal agencies. Such collaboration is essential to safeguard not only our residents but all communities.' The department also said Donald was additionally charged with evading in a vehicle by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Watch Texas law enforcement apprehend New Orleans jail escapees New Orleans escapees arrested in Texas, police body cam footage shows Two New Orleans escapees Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate, were captured in Texas, according to Huntsville Police Department. How many New Orleans jail escapees remain at large? When the escapes happened on May 16, a total of 10 inmates fled the Orleans Parish jail. So far, eight have been caught, meaning only two are still on the run. The search for escapees Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27, is ongoing. According to Orleans Parish court records, Masey is charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. There's also a warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from a November incident, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY. Groves was incarcerated after being convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in October in connection with a 2018 shooting during Mardi Gras. He had been awaiting sentencing on a manslaughter charge since October, court records show. How did the inmates escape the New Orleans jail? Authorities said the inmates pulled open faulty sliding cell doors, tore out a bathroom to create a hole in the jail, and then climbed a wall to escape. Three were recaptured by the end of the same day, while two more were caught a week later. New Orleans authorities announced awards of up to $20,000 per inmate for information leading to the arrests of the escapees. So far, at least 13 people have been arrested, including an inmate who did not flee, for collaborating with the escapees. Six arrests were announced on May 26, including that of Diamond White, 21, on charges that include principal to aggravated escape and obstruction of justice for helping Massey, according to Louisiana State Police spokesperson Sgt. Kate Stegall. Other arrests announced May 26 included Lenika Vanburen, 28, Tyshanea Randolph, 27, Patricia Vanburen, 18, Angel McKay, 41, and Lenton Vanburen Sr., 48. All face charges of accessory after the fact, and are accused of aiding 26-year-old escapee, Lenton Vanburen. All were booked into the Plaquemines Parish jail, Stegall said. A spokesperson for Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson's office has not responded to requests for comment, but previously said she took 'full accountability' for the breach. Contributing: John Bacon, Michael Loria & Chris Kenning/USA TODAY Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
How many inmates are still on the run from New Orleans jail? What are their charges?
How many inmates are still on the run from New Orleans jail? What are their charges? Authorities are still searching for some of the 10 inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail on May 16. Here's what to know about the remaining escapees. Show Caption Hide Caption New Orleans escapees arrested in Texas, police body cam footage shows Two New Orleans escapees Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate, were captured in Texas, according to Huntsville Police Department. The massive manhunt for 10 inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail stretched into its 12th day May 28 as two remaining escapees continued to evade authorities. The inmates fled the Orleans Parish jail on May 16. Authorities said the group pulled open defective cell doors, ripped out a toilet to create a hole in the jail and then climbed a wall to escape. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams told USA TODAY the escape appeared to be an "inside job." At least 13 people have been arrested for allegedly aiding the inmates. Authorities are offering awards of up to $20,000 per inmate for information leading to their arrests. Louisiana State Police have pledged to "pursue every lead" until the inmates who remain at-large are once again in custody. Here's what to know about the inmates who are being sought: How many inmates are still on the run from New Orleans jail? Two of the 10 inmates who escaped from the jail are still at-large. Kendell Myles, Robert Moody and Dkenan Dennis were taken back in custody within hours of their escape. Days later, Gary Price and Corey Boyd were nabbed in New Orleans, according to Louisiana State Police. On May 26, Lenton Vanburen was captured in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, while Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were arrested in Walker County, Texas. Which inmates are still at large? The search is continuing for Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27. More: Who are the inmates still on the run from a New Orleans jail? What did Derrick Groves do? Here are his charges Groves was convicted of two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder in October in connection with a shooting during Mardi Gras in 2018. Groves also has been awaiting sentencing on a manslaughter charge since October. He also faces a charge of battery against a correctional facility employee, the Associated Press reported, citing court records. What did Antoine Massey do? Here are his charges Massey is charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle, according to Orleans Parish records. There also is a warrant for his arrest in St. Tammany Parish for second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse involving strangulation and violation of a protective order involving battery stemming from an incident in November, the parish's sheriff's office told USA TODAY. Contributing: John Bacon and Michael Loria
