Various Mississippi and Arkansas law enforcement agencies, along with US Marshals, are searching for a convicted rapist who escaped from an Arkansas prison on Friday.
Samuel Hartman, 38, escaped Friday morning from the East Arkansas Regional Unit in Brickeys, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
(credit: ADOC)
Hartman was serving a life sentence for rape. Authorities say that he is armed and dangerous and fired a weapon at the Arkansas Correctional Officers.
Hartman is approximately 5’9″ and weighs 230 pounds. If you see Hartman, do not approach but instead call 911.
He may be traveling in a white 2021 Chevy Z71 Trail Boss with Arkansas plates 398 ZVY or no plates at all, according to the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office.
(credit: ADOC)
Authorities believe that Hartman is being assisted by his mother and sister, Misty Hartman and Linda Annette White. Both are wanted as persons of interest at this time.
Linda White (credit: ADOC)
Misty Hartman (credit: ADOC)
Hartman is believed to be in the Tunica County area. There was a vehicle located two miles west of casino resort area – across the river, on the Arkansas side of the river, in Arkansas. Arkansas State Police stated that a farmer reported to have seen two abandoned jet skis on a boat ramp.
The Tunica County Sheriff’s Office has located the two jet skis abandoned on a boat ramp near Mhoon Landing Park that are believed to be used by the suspect due to the location the watercrafts were located. The jet skis are being processed by Mississippi Bureau of Investigation at this time.
All area schools in Tunica County are on lock down at this time as a precaution, and all local businesses are on high alert.
Anyone with information is asked to alert their local authorities or call the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office at 662-363-1411.
The Tunica County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Arkansas State Police Department, Arkansas Department of Corrections, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, Tunica Police Department, DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi Department of Corrections, and US Marshals.