Three Week Long Manhunt Ends
By: Sheriff Dan Young, Stephens County
Updated: August 2, 2012
A three week long manhunt came to an end with the arrest of a
parolee, Clinton James Easter, by the Stephens County Sheriff Dan Young,
Stephens County Chief Deputy Don Braly and Palo Pinto County Deputies.
The hunt for James Clinton Easter started after a vehicle chase on July 07, 2012. Texas Department of Criminal Justice had issued a warrant for Easter after his arrest in Bryan, Texas for theft of property over $20,000 but under $100,000.
On July 09, 2012 Stephens County Sheriff's Office obtained a warrant for Easter for Felony Evading. On July 09, 2012 the Sheriff's Office had information that Easter was hiding at a ranch in Eastland County. Sheriff Young and Chief Deputy Braly went to the Eastland County ranch along with Eastland County Sheriff's Office Deputies in an attempt to serve the felony arrest warrant.
While at the Ranch in Eastland County numerous items such as copper wire and equipment were found. Eastland County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for the Eastland County ranch location to recover the stolen items. Several of the stolen items were identified as being stolen from Eastland County and Montague County.
Eastland County obtained a felony arrest warrant for Easter for the theft of the property identified as being stolen in Eastland County. Charges are expected to be filed in Montague County for the theft of items in that County.
Once again Easter was one step ahead a law enforcement and had fled the Eastland County Ranch the prior night. He left the ranch pulling a travel trailer. Press releases were released asking for help from the public to locate Clinton Easter. It was believed that Easter was remaining close to Stephens County.
Stephens County Sheriff's Office began surveillance of a local ranch where Easter had previously been working and living in an attempt to locate him. On July 29, 2012 Sheriff Dan Young, Chief Deputy Braly and Investigator Lee Kidwell observed Easter near the Ranch that led to a vehicle chase. Easter evaded law enforcement for approximately seven miles down paved and dirt roads before abandoning his vehicle and running on foot.
An extensive manhunt began by the Sheriff's Office, Eastland County Sheriff's Office Deputies, Shackelford County Sheriff's Office Deputies Department of Public Safety Troopers from Stephens County and Eastland County as well as the Texas Rangers. Sheriff Dan Young, Deputy Braly and Texas Ranger Shane Morrow again set up nighttime surveillance of the local ranch and were able to see Easter return to the ranch but were unable to effect and arrest at that time.
During this manhunt the Sheriff's Office received calls from local residents and other county citizens reporting possible sightings and giving information as to possible location Easter might be hiding. Numerous spottings were checked out as well as locations in surrounding Counties as to where Easter might be located with no luck. Stephens County Sheriff's Investigator Lee Kidwell was able to obtain information that gave the Sheriff's Office a possible location where Clinton Easter might be residing in the travel trailer.
Sheriff Dan Young and Chief Deputy Braly travelled to Palo Pinto County and met with Deputies from that Office to try and locate Easter and his travel trailer. While in the Santo area Deputies were able to locate Easter's travel trailer in a RV Park located on State Hwy 281 in Palo Pinto County. Law Enforcement Deputies surrounded the travel trailer and began waiting for Easter who was believed to be inside the RV. After approximately seven minutes Clinton Easter opened the door and was taken in custody by Palo Pinto County Deputies and Sheriff Young and Chief Deputy Braly.
Easter was then transported back to Stephens County where he was arraigned by the Stephens County Justice of the Peace, Mike Heatley, on the outstanding criminal charges from Stephens County, Eastland County and Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Easter is currently incarcerated in the Stephens County Jail.
The hunt for James Clinton Easter started after a vehicle chase on July 07, 2012. Texas Department of Criminal Justice had issued a warrant for Easter after his arrest in Bryan, Texas for theft of property over $20,000 but under $100,000.
On July 09, 2012 Stephens County Sheriff's Office obtained a warrant for Easter for Felony Evading. On July 09, 2012 the Sheriff's Office had information that Easter was hiding at a ranch in Eastland County. Sheriff Young and Chief Deputy Braly went to the Eastland County ranch along with Eastland County Sheriff's Office Deputies in an attempt to serve the felony arrest warrant.
While at the Ranch in Eastland County numerous items such as copper wire and equipment were found. Eastland County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for the Eastland County ranch location to recover the stolen items. Several of the stolen items were identified as being stolen from Eastland County and Montague County.
Eastland County obtained a felony arrest warrant for Easter for the theft of the property identified as being stolen in Eastland County. Charges are expected to be filed in Montague County for the theft of items in that County.
Once again Easter was one step ahead a law enforcement and had fled the Eastland County Ranch the prior night. He left the ranch pulling a travel trailer. Press releases were released asking for help from the public to locate Clinton Easter. It was believed that Easter was remaining close to Stephens County.
Stephens County Sheriff's Office began surveillance of a local ranch where Easter had previously been working and living in an attempt to locate him. On July 29, 2012 Sheriff Dan Young, Chief Deputy Braly and Investigator Lee Kidwell observed Easter near the Ranch that led to a vehicle chase. Easter evaded law enforcement for approximately seven miles down paved and dirt roads before abandoning his vehicle and running on foot.
An extensive manhunt began by the Sheriff's Office, Eastland County Sheriff's Office Deputies, Shackelford County Sheriff's Office Deputies Department of Public Safety Troopers from Stephens County and Eastland County as well as the Texas Rangers. Sheriff Dan Young, Deputy Braly and Texas Ranger Shane Morrow again set up nighttime surveillance of the local ranch and were able to see Easter return to the ranch but were unable to effect and arrest at that time.
During this manhunt the Sheriff's Office received calls from local residents and other county citizens reporting possible sightings and giving information as to possible location Easter might be hiding. Numerous spottings were checked out as well as locations in surrounding Counties as to where Easter might be located with no luck. Stephens County Sheriff's Investigator Lee Kidwell was able to obtain information that gave the Sheriff's Office a possible location where Clinton Easter might be residing in the travel trailer.
Sheriff Dan Young and Chief Deputy Braly travelled to Palo Pinto County and met with Deputies from that Office to try and locate Easter and his travel trailer. While in the Santo area Deputies were able to locate Easter's travel trailer in a RV Park located on State Hwy 281 in Palo Pinto County. Law Enforcement Deputies surrounded the travel trailer and began waiting for Easter who was believed to be inside the RV. After approximately seven minutes Clinton Easter opened the door and was taken in custody by Palo Pinto County Deputies and Sheriff Young and Chief Deputy Braly.
Easter was then transported back to Stephens County where he was arraigned by the Stephens County Justice of the Peace, Mike Heatley, on the outstanding criminal charges from Stephens County, Eastland County and Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Easter is currently incarcerated in the Stephens County Jail.
