Escaped inmate back in custody
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Wilkerson, 30, was captured by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and Sparta Police Department Monday, after investigators, acting on information they received, staked out an apartment complex in Sparta.
According to Sheriff Jackie Matheny, Wilkerson ran away when he saw officers as he exited the apartment. A foot chase then ensued, ending when investigator Tommy Myers dove and tackled the fleeing felon. Myers suffered a nose injury when he was struck by Wilkerson.
The capture came after Wilkerson escaped from custody this February at Warren County Courthouse, minutes after he was found guilty on cocaine charges. Facing up to 60 years in jail as a repeat drug offender, Wilkerson seized his chance when the two courtroom guards left the room.
Wilkerson darted out a door which led directly outside. A search of the downtown area failed to locate him.
According to Matheny, officers have followed numerous leads since the escape and had previosly staked out the place Wilkerson was caught.
Wilkerson is docketed to face sentencing on his cocaine conviction today and may have been sentenced in his absence had he not been found. Sentencing will likely be postponed given his capture, giving his defense time to confer before the hearing. The escape charges will be held in General Sessions Court on May 11.
The resident of the apartment where Wilkerson was caught, Willie Martin, has been arrested on drug charges after lawmen found three ounces of cocaine and a half-pound of marijuana.