Executive Summary
- Christopher Davenport, 38, was captured Wednesday after escaping St. Francis County jail Monday.
- Authorities discovered the fugitive hiding in the attic of an abandoned house.
- Davenport was held on first-degree battery charges and had “trusty” inmate status.
- Custody has been transferred to U.S. Marshals and Arkansas State Police.
An inmate who authorities say escaped from the St. Francis County jail earlier this week has been apprehended following a multi-agency manhunt. Christopher Davenport, 38, was taken into custody on Wednesday after being discovered in the attic of an abandoned house, according to a statement released by the Forrest City Police Department.
Davenport was reported missing around 7 p.m. Monday after jail staff conducted a routine inmate headcount. According to a media release cited by officials, Davenport was classified as a “trusty” inmate, a designation granting specific work privileges within the facility. Following his capture, officials stated that custody of Davenport was transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service and the Arkansas State Police.
Prior to the reported escape, Davenport had been detained since September 19 following an arrest operation involving Forrest City police, state troopers, and U.S. marshals. He was originally held in connection with the September 1 shooting of Nautica Gardner at the Star One Food Mart in Forrest City. At the time of his initial arrest, police reported finding him hiding under a bed at a residence on 408 D Ave., the location where he was paroled.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Davenport was awaiting trial on multiple felony counts, including first-degree battery, weapons violations, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. Authorities indicated that Davenport now faces additional charges stemming from the escape, though specific counts were not immediately itemized in the police release.
Procedural Next Steps
The recapture of Davenport places the focus on security protocols within the St. Francis County jail, particularly regarding the vetting process for “trusty” status inmates. As the investigation proceeds, law enforcement will likely coordinate with prosecutors to formally add escape charges to the existing felony docket. It is important to note that all individuals, including Davenport, are presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
