Mo. inmate escapes after overpowering transport officer

By C1 Staff

TEXAS COUNTY, Mo. — Officials are searching for an inmate who overpowered an officer and fled in a transport van Monday morning. 

Christopher Hunt, 33, was returning from court where he pleaded guilty and received a 20-year sentence for multiple crimes, including three counts of assault or attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, The Houston Herald reported.

Hunt overpowered the corrections officer and stole the marked transport van. The CO was uninjured. 

The inmate was last seen wearing a light green striped uniform with a white shirt. Authorities told the publication that the clothes were later found at a home and the van was discovered a short distance away. He has several tattoos on his body including the words “tough times” tattooed on his hands, KMOV reported.

In 2016, Hunt approached a car armed with a gun and threatened the driver, according to the Houston Herald. He stole the vehicle then abandoned it shortly after. Hunt stole another vehicle during the pursuit. He was detained after spraying two state patrol officers with mace. 

He was charged with first-degree robbery, two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle, three counts of assault or attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and resisting arrest by fleeing.