U.S. marshals capture second federal escapee from Lewisburg
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share thisWILLIAMSPORT - Almost one year after escaping from federal custody, U.S. Marshals (USMS) have arrested the lone remaining escapee who fled from Bureau of Prisons' custody in July 2008. U.S. Marshal Michael R. Regan announced by press release today that Derrick Wilson was taken into custody by USMS personnel in Atlanta. He was wanted for his July 20, 2008 escape from the Federal Prison Camp on the grounds of the U.S. penitentiary at Lewisburg. At the time of his escape, Wilson was serving a federal sentence from the Southern District of New York.
Wilson's criminal record dates back to 1996 and includes charges of trafficking in altered and cloned cellular phones, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of 121 kilograms of cocaine, distribution of 100 kilograms of marijuana, money laundering and felon in possession of a firearm. He was jailed on these charges.
In late December 2006, he received a 72-month federal prison sentence, followed by 10 years of supervised release, in connection with a federal drug case. He pleaded guilty to these charges in the Southern District of New York.
On Feb. 20, 2008, Wilson arrived in custody at the Bureau of Prisons facility in Lewisburg.
On July 20, 2008, at approximately 1 a.m., Lewisburg federal prison officials received information that several inmates may have fled from the prison camp. An emergency bed check was conducted. This check revealed Wilson and another inmate, Anthony Prince, had escaped. Upon notification by the Bureau of Prisons of the escape, USMS conducted an investigation throughout Union County and surrounding counties. Assistance was provided by state and local law enforcement authorities.
Shortly after the escape last July, USMS in Williamsport developed leads on Wilson in Norfolk and Charlotte. It was determined he had ties to these cities, as well as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Interviews and surveillance were conducted by USMS personnel throughout the country, to include Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Newark, Honolulu and New York City.
On Jan. 5, USMS located and arrested Prince in Charlotte, N.C. Prince was in possession of multiple forms of false identification. Prince has since been returned to the Williamsport area, where he is undergoing federal prosecution for escape.
On June 30, USMS were successful in locating Wilson in the parking lot of a gas station in Smyrna, Ga., on the outskirts of Atlanta. At approximately 8 p.m., the escapee was apprehended. As USMS moved in to affect the arrest, Wilson attempted to flee. He denied his identity, and provided USMS with the false name of Jerome Turner.
Wilson, 40, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gerrilyn Brill in Atlanta earlier Wednesday. He waived his identity, and was ordered detained. Wilson is being held in custody in greater Atlanta, pending his removal to the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Upon his return to the Williamsport area, Wilson will be prosecuted for escape by the U.S. Marshals Service in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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