A DeSoto County man's courthouse escape drama has led to a felony escape indictment. Stephen Russell Jr., 27, was indicted after he fled the Hernando courthouse when a judge sentenced him to prison for trafficking fentanyl, according to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office. Despite being handcuffed, Russell managed to run out of the courthouse, get into his car, and momentarily evade the pursuing officers before being captured, as reported by Action News 5.
Video evidence of Russell's escape shows the convicted man, restraints and all, making a desperate dash for freedom. It was an act that has moved to swiftly add up to an additional five years to his prison sentence. District Attorney Matthew Barton highlighted the community's concerns, stating, “Fentanyl is flooding our communities and killing our citizens, and this tragic situation is largely due to the unchecked flow of illegal drugs across our border and the actions of foreign governments, particularly China, which continues to produce and ship this poison,” and emphasizing the urgency of expediting indictments in cases that pose a significant threat to public safety. Barton further mentioned to Action News 5 his confidence in measures to stem the flow of illicit drugs, saying, "I am confident that come January 20th, that pipeline is going to start to dry up."
Russell, at the time of his arrest, had already been sentenced to ten years for his role in trafficking the powerful opioid. He now faces the possibility of extending his incarceration due to the indictment brought forward by the DeSoto County District Attorney's task force. As reported by WREG, the task force has been crucial in expediting the handling of high-priority cases.
The account of the escape noted a feigned medical emergency, which Russell used to his advantage to flee authorities, according to FOX13 Memphis. This ruse allowed him the brief moment needed to swiftly cross the street to a parked car, still shackled, and attempt a getaway. The Hernando Police eventually arrested him a mere mile away from the courthouse after this short-lived attempt at escape.
“Our office worked at lightning speed to bring this dangerous individual to justice. Thanks to the swift efforts of my staff and law enforcement, we were able to hold Russell accountable for his dangerous actions without delay,” Barton told WREG. As for Russell, he now awaits the legal ramifications of his actions on top of a substantial prison term initially handed down for his drug trafficking conviction.
