Cops Hunt Violent Escaped Inmate
Law enforcement is on the hunt for an escapee from the STAR Community Justice Center in Franklin Furnace.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Eric Leon Parkins, age 42, of Parkersburg, WV, escaped from the facility on Saturday night just after 8:30 pm along with another inmate.
Police caught up with the second inmate, Timothy Wesley Moore, age 45, of Millfield, OH, shortly after and took him into custody with the help of a K9 unit.
However, Parkins is still on the loose. Officers advise the public to approach with caution because Parkins has Violent tendencies.
His record includes battery on a police officer, obstructing an officer with injury, fugitive from justice, assault, possession of drugs, protection order violation, felony stalking, and manufacture and delivery of controlled substance.
Parkins has numerous tattoos, one behind his right ear, between the thumb and index finger on his left hand, and a “6” and an “8” on his left ankle.
According to their website, the STAR Community Justice Center is a 360-bed male and female Community Based Correctional Facility. The Facility is a local alternative to prison with the primary purpose of rehabilitation of non-violent, felony offenders in the nineteen counties that STAR serves.
Exactly how this violent felon was permitted into the STAR setting is a question that remains to be answered by officials.
UPDATE
On Tuesday, May 8th, Parkins was located and apprehended in his hometown of Parkersburg, WV.
The investigation continues as to how Parkins was able to make it back to Parkersburg. Additional arrests involving his escape are expected.
Parkins remains in a West Virginia jail at this time.