A man who made away with a prisoner van Monday and escaped is now formally charged.
Texas County Prosecutor Parke Stevens filed charges of escape or attempted escape from custody with a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or by holding hostage against Christopher A. Hunt, 33, 920 W. State St., Springfield. It is a class A felony.
Hunt was returning from the Phelps County Courthouse in Rolla when he escaped from a transport van driven by a guard who was taking him to his cell in Texas County. No details have been released about the escape. The Missouri State Highway Patrol quickly established a perimeter near Highway K and U.S. 63 and searches were made by foot, vehicle and air.
Hunt had been sentenced Monday morning to 20 years in prison stemming from a fall 2016 Texas County incident that involved a chase in a stolen car, the theft of a second vehicle and the assault of two arresting officers. The patrol warned residents that they consider him dangerous.
Texas County Sheriff James Sigman released a statement on his social media account Tuesday night that he believed Hunt was out of the area. Â Â