Prisoner Flees From ER, Caught Quickly

Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on 11-17-2022, at approximately 8:10pm, inmate Deshawn Villanueva, 30 years old from La Grange, claimed he was sick and the Corrections Officer staff contacted Fayette County EMS to have him evaluated. EMS transported him to St. Mark Emergency room with a Corrections Officer on board. The prisoner was secured with restraints. While at St. Mark’s and still restrained, the inmate ran out of the ER doors.

The inmate was taken back into custody near the hospital grounds 21 minutes after he eluded officers. There was no danger to the public during this time. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank DPS and La Grange Police Department for their assistance with this incident. Villanueva was in custody at the Dan R. Beck Justice center on an FTA (Failure to Appear) warrant for a Forgery charge and was also arrested for charges of a Possession of a Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest earlier in the week, by the Fayette County Narcotics Unit.

Villanueva has now been charged with Escape while Arrested, a 3rd Degree Felony