Prison Camp Inmate Pleads Guilty To Escaping While On Transfer Between Facilities

David J. Pederson, 55, an inmate at the Federal Prison Camp at Marion, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to an indictment charging him with escaping from custody while on an unescorted transfer between that facility and one in Council Bluffs, Iowa, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on May 9th, alleged that the escape offense occurred on March 26, 2013.

After escaping, Pederson obtained a realistic looking air pistol and car-jacked two separate vehicles in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. He took a total of four individuals hostage during the car-jackings, including two women and two children. He was arrested with three of the hostages in Nashville, Illinois. On May 7, 2013, Pederson pled guilty in Jefferson County Circuit Court to charges relating to the car-jackings and was sentenced to a 20 year term of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Sentencing on the escape offense was set for November 1, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. At that time, Pederson faces an additional 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration.

Pederson was returned to the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections to await his federal sentencing.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service and the Mt. Vernon Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.