for immediate release
June 22, 2004
N E W S R E L E A S E
An escapee from Okaloosa County has been recaptured in Walton County. Acting in response to an anonymous tip today (Tuesday), Walton County Deputies surrounded the home of Eric Dewayne Russell, age 18 (8-17-1985) near Paxton, and took the escapee into custody.
Since fleeing from the Gulf Coast Treatment Center in Fort Walton Beach late last Friday night (June 18), Russell had eluded capture after being spotted in south Alabama and northern Walton County.
Russell was in a juvenile treatment facility on a conviction of Aggravated Assault. He escaped by making a hole through the interior and exterior walls of a bathroom, then scaling a chain-link fence topped with razor wire.
As a result of the escape, he faces new charges of Escape and Criminal Mischief in Okaloosa County.
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for more information contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420