Stephens apprehended in San Antonio

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cherryroad.com

The third and final Barry County jail escapee has been apprehended, 675 miles away from Cassville.

According to a press release from Chris Bozeman, deputy U.S. Marshal and public affairs officer with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Lance Stephens was arrested Tuesday night at a hotel in the 6500 block of West Military Avenue in San Antonio.

He was arrested without incident and is currently being held in custody at the Karnes County Detention Facility while awaiting extradition to Missouri.

“Stephens fled one state to another in an attempt to avoid capture,” said Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal. “Due to the persistence and collaborative efforts of deputies and task force officers, avoiding capture was not possible.”

Earlier in the day, a federal warrant was issued for Stephens involving a felon in possession of a firearm.

During the investigation, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force determined that Stephens fled Missouri to hide out in Texas. As a result, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force was requested to assist in his apprehension. 

Stephens was one of three individuals that allegedly punched holes in the plaster ceiling of the Barry County jail in the overnight hours of June 2-3, then crawling to a maintenance room with an exterior door.

Christopher Blevins, of Golden, was the first apprehended, tracked down on June 8 in Casper, Wyo. Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers located Blevins in a flatbed Dodge allegedly stolen from Salina, Kan. Authorities conducted a traffic stop, arresting Blevins and releasing a female that was also in the vehicle.

Danny Boyd, Barry County sheriff, said Blevins will likely be transported to the Greene County jail, where he will face federal charges filed by the U.S. Marshals.

Matthew Crawford, of Springfield, was arrested on Monday in Springfield by Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputies and U.S. Marshals, assisted by Springfield Police. 

“He was in an abandoned house that had been sitting on for a couple days, thinking he might go there,” Boyd said.

Crawford is currently being held for extradition in Greene County. Boyd said he has charges in other counties, as well.

“We are working on getting ahold of other counties where he has charges to see if they will take him,” Boyd said. We won’t house him here, regardless. He’ll go to another county and charges will still be pending here. It’s pretty common to do that.”