UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	JULY 17 , 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

 TUSCALOOSA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ESCAPE

          BIRMINGHAM, AL -LONZELL DEMETRIC GOWDY,  35, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was found guilty of escape yesterday in United States Federal District Court.  In April of this year, a federal grand jury returned a one count indictment charging that on September 16, 2008, Gowdy escaped from federal custody while under a sentence imposed by United States District Judge Inge P. Johnson.  Judge Johnson had previously sentenced Gowdy to a 156 months in prison following his conviction for Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Cocaine Hydrochloride and Marijuana.
 
           Gowdy had agreed to surrender to the United States Marshall in Birmingham, Alabama, in order to begin serving his 156-month federal sentence.  Gowdy, however, did not surrender as promised and chose instead to flee the Northern District of Alabama.  After remaining a fugitive for almost seven months, deputies from the United States Marshall’s Office and local task force officers apprehended Gowdy in Columbus, Mississippi.  Gowdy was found inside the home of third party, hiding inside a bedroom closet.  Upon his arrest, Gowdy initially gave law enforcement officers a false name.

          Gowdy is to be sentenced on his escape charge in October before the Honorable Virginia Emerson Hopkins.  He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

          This matter was investigated by Deputy United States Marshall Walt Shipp with the United States Marshall’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.  Assistant United States Attorney John B. Felton and Special Assistant United States Attorney Amy DeMarco prosecuted this matter on behalf of the United States.
   
###