Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Escapee Captured - Prescott Man Walks Away From Work Release

A 26-year-old Prescott man faces charges of escaping from the Southwest Arkansas Community Punishment Center in Texarkana.

According to a release from the Department of Community Punishment, a minimum security facility, Kenneth Martin reportedly walked off a work detail around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18.

Martin was set for release in November.

However, Martin has been captured and is being held in the Nevada County jail, awaiting orders to send him to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

According to court records, he was originally charged with possession of a firearm by certain persons, DWI 2 and speeding.

Reports show Martin was clocked on radar by Nevada County Deputy Danny Martin as driving 68 miles an hour in a 55 mph zone on Highway 371 on Oct. 10, 1999.

When the officer stopped Martin he noticed the suspect having trouble finding his wallet and detected the odor of alcohol as well.

The suspect failed a field sobriety test and registered 0.13 when given a breath test. In Arkansas 0.10 constitutes driving while under the influence.

Martin told the deputy a 9mm handgun was in the pickup as well.

The courts appointed Hope attorney Scott Freydl to represent Martin, and nol prossed the firearm charge, with the suspect pleading guilty to DWI 2 and speeding.

He was sentenced to one year in jail for DWI 2, 10 days for speeding and sent to the Southwest Arkansas Community Punishment Center in Texarkana to serve his time.