Manhunt underway after inmate escapes Crockett County Jail in patrol vehicle
CROCKETT COUNTY, Tenn. — A manhunt is in full swing for a man who escaped from a local jail Wednesday.
According to a news release from the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department, Gerald Pete Samples, who is a 59-year-old white male escaped from the Crockett County Jail earlier Wednesday.
The manhunt was heavily focused on Gibson County Wednesday after the patrol vehicle used in the escape was also found Wednesday in Gibson County on Bruce Hardaway Road.
According to the sheriff’s office, Samples was being held on a circuit court violation since August of 2025.
According to a criminal complaint, Samples was awaiting extradition to Virginia, where he faces several felony charges for solicitation of a child 15 years or younger by electronic means.
The extradition process is still awaiting approval from the Tennessee governor’s extradition division, so Samples can be transported to Virginia to face those charges. The incident happened with the minor in 2024.
Sample’s Tennessee criminal record includes many charges of theft of property, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, along with several other charges.
“Mr. Samples is a career criminal. He’s spent a lot of his adult life behind bars and he is familiar with the workings of multiple correctional facilities, the justice system. He is no stranger to any of this,” said Sutton.
This isn’t the first time Samples has escaped from the Crockett County Jail. He escaped back in July of 2020 while he was awaiting trial on multiple charges.
He was found in Trenton later that year. Public Information Officer with the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department, Stephen Sutton, says they are investigating security measures that were in place at the jail since this isn’t his first escape.
“We’re looking in to that. There will be a time to look into all of that,” said Sutton.
The sheriff’s department is conducting an investigation surrounding the escape and whether or not there were accomplices.
Samples is 6 foot 2 inches and weighs approximately 207 lbs. He was last seen wearing a brown shirt and brown pants. Law enforcement urges to call the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department if you know anything about sample’s whereabouts.
The number for the sheriff’s department is 731-696-2104. They also urge if you see him do not approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.
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