(L to R) K-9 Sergeant Courtney Kelly, Kemonta Bishop, Sergeant Fred Green, and Sergeant David Williams

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Alicia Dorn

Communications Director/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351-OFFICE/870.329.5638-CELL

Email: alicia.dorn@jeffcoso.org

UPDATE: JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEARCHING FOR MAN WHO ESCAPED DEPUTY CUSTODY: January 6, 2020 - JEFFERSON COUNTY, AR - The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Arkansas Community Correction Special Response Team, JCSO K-9 Soder, and Tri-County Drug Task Force have found and detained Kemonta Bishop, who escaped deputy custody on Saturday, January 4th.

Bishop was located at 24th Avenue and Ash Street in Pine Bluff, AR at 2:00 p.m. He attempted to flee and was subsequently apprehended by JCSO K-9 Soder.

On January 4th, 22-year old Kemonta Bishop, a black male, escaped a deputy's custody while being transported from Jefferson Regional Medical Center back to the W.C. "Dub" Brassell Adult Detention Center where he was being held for possession of a firearm by other person, theft by receiving, and state petition to revoke probation. He was taken to the hospital for breathing complications, which he had been cleared of. While in route back to the detention center, Bishop again complained of breathing issues. The deputy partially lowered the back window in an effort to allow him to breathe. Unbeknownst to the deputy, Bishop had slipped out of his restraints, forced the back window down and gained access to the outside door handle. As the patrol car slowed down, he opened the door and fled on foot. The deputy attempted to pursue the detainee, but lost sight.

Bishop is currently in custody. The investigation is ongoing.