Dwight Abernathie Archives

U.S. Marshals: remaining two southeast Missouri escapees captured near Denver

January 26, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The U.S. Marshals have announced that the final two jail escapees from southeast Missouri’s Iron County have been captured in Colorado. All three escapees are now in custody.

U.S. Marshals, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Ironton Police and others work at a command post at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton (January 16, 2021 file photo courtesy of Ironton Police Facebook page)

The U.S. Marshals say Dwight Abernathie was captured Sunday at an Arvada Walmart, after trying to shoplift from the store. Samuel Gillam was captured Monday at a Denver Salvation Army homeless shelter.

It’s unclear whether Abernathie and Gillam will waive extradition back to Missouri. If they fight extradition, the process will be delayed and Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Colorado Governor Jared Polis would have to get involved and sign paperwork.

The third escapee, Tracy Brown, was arrested last Wednesday at a gas station in Carrizozo, New Mexico.

Brown, Abernathie and Gillam were jailed in Iron County on local charges. While Brown was jailed on a burglary charge, Gillam was jailed for kidnapping and Abernathie for assault.

The U.S. Marshals have been leading the search for the three. Marshals say the three escapees moved a block wall to escape from the Iron County jail in Ironton.

U.S. Marshals and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies had originally been searching in southeast Missouri, including the heavily-wooded Mark Twain National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and numerous other agencies had been assisting in the search in southeast Missouri.

UPDATE: One southeast Missouri jail escapee captured in New Mexico; two others at large and considered dangerous

January 21, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The U.S. Marshals Service says one of the men who escaped Saturday from southeast Missouri’s Iron County jail has been captured in New Mexico. While the other two suspects remain at large, the Marshals have arrested some of their family members.

U.S. Marshals, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Ironton Police and others work at a command post at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton (January 16, 2021 photo courtesy of Ironton Police Facebook page)

The Marshals say escapee Tracy Brown and his girlfriend were arrested late Wednesday night at a gas station in Carrizozo, New Mexico. The arrests were made by the U.S. Marshals Southwest Investigation Fugitive (SWIFT) team.

The Marshals in St. Louis learned earlier that Brown and his girlfriend had left Denver and were heading to New Mexico. The SWIFT team made the arrests, when Brown and his girlfriend pulled into the gas station. New Mexico State Police were involved in the arrests as well.

According to U.S. Marshals, after being arrested, Brown and his girlfriend told authorities that Brown and the other two escapees, Dwight Abernathie and Samuel Gillam, drove to Colorado together after escaping from the jail in Ironton. Brown told police that the three split up in Denver.

The Marshals confirm that information obtained from interviewing Brown and his girlfriend developed additional leads, leading to arrests of family members of Abernathie and Gillam. It’s unclear tonight who else was arrested and what federal or state charges they could be facing.

Brown, Abernathie and Gillam were jailed in Iron County on local charges. While Brown was jailed on a burglary charge, Gillam was jailed for kidnapping and Abernathie for sodomy and assault.

The U.S. Marshals Service in St. Louis has been in contact with Marshals in Colorado, regarding Gillam and Abernathie. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to their arrests.

The Marshals have been leading the search for the three, and emphasize that Gillam and Abernathie should be considered dangerous.

U.S. Marshals say the three moved a block wall to escape. Marshals say the inmates escaped at about 4:30 on Saturday morning, and the Iron County Sheriff requested assistance from the Marshals at about 1 p.m. Saturday.

U.S. Marshals and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies had been searching in southeast Missouri, including the heavily-wooded Mark Twain National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and numerous other agencies had been assisting in the search in southeast Missouri.

U.S. Marshals: three southeast Missouri jail escapees should be considered dangerous

January 18, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

The U.S. Marshals are now leading the search for three jail escapees in southeast Missouri’s Iron County, and the Marshals emphasize the three should be considered dangerous. A unified command post has been established at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton.

Missourinet Cape Girardeau television partner KFVS reports authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information on the escapees: Tracy L. Brown, Dwight Abernathie and Samuel Gillam. The Marshals say all three were jailed on local charges. Gillam was jailed on a kidnapping charge, while Abernathie was jailed for assault and sodomy. Brown was in jail for a burglary charge.

U.S. Marshals, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, Ironton Police and others have set up a command post at the Iron County Courthouse in Ironton (January 16, 2021 photo courtesy of Ironton Police Facebook page)

U.S. Marshals say the three moved a block wall to escape. Authorities are urging residents to lock their doors and to remain vigilant.

Marshals say the inmates escaped at about 4:30 on Saturday morning, and the Iron County Sheriff requested assistance from the Marshals at about 1 p.m. Saturday. The Marshals have sent personnel from Cape Girardeau and St. Louis to the area.

U.S. Marshals and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies are being assisted by Ironton Police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pilot Knob Police and by the U.S. Forest Service, Missouri State park rangers and the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The search area includes the heavily-wooded Mark Twain National Forest.