A western Iowa man who ran away from the Mills County courthouse Sunday is back in custody. Lieutenant Mike Osler says 30-year-old Troy Eugene Clayton had been brought to the sheriff’s office for an initial appearance before a magistrate judge.
At the end of the appearance, a jailer was escorting Clayton back to his cell when he overpowered the guard and ran out. But freedom didn’t last long. The lieutenant says the suspect had a lot to think over besides his newfound freedom. Clayton was already slated to make other court appearances and be sentenced on other charges. The Lieutenant says he and his family had a lot of money at stake if he failed to make that appearance.
Clayton’s father called a little before nine this morning to say he’d turn himself in, and about a quarter-past nine the man showed up at the courthouse, where officers were waiting to take him back into custody. Despite his cooperation, Clayton will face more charges in connection with the brief escape. He had a long list of charges facing him already, the lieutenant says, but after returning he pleaded guilty to charges of escape and assault on the jailer. Earlier charges against Clayton included manufacturing methamphetamine and disorderly conduct.