Inmate escapes from Karnes County immigration center; public should be on alert

COURTESY/Karnes County Sheriff’s Office.
Yonathan Eluid Castaneda-Flores.

UPDATE: (05/24/2024, 1:30 p.m.) The Karnes County Sheriff’s Office reports that the escaped inmate was arrested shortly after 9 a.m. Friday morning at the Stripes Convenience Store on US 181 in Karnes City.

The Karnes County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be vigilant after an inmate escaped from the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center/GEO on FM 1144.

The suspect, identified as Yonathan Eluid Castaneda-Flores of Honduras, climbed over a fence and fled the center around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday evening, May 23. He was last seen running away from the GEO facility toward FM 99.

Castaneda-Flores is described as a man of Hispanic descent, approximately 20 years old, with short dark hair. He wears the dark blue prison uniform consisting of a shirt, pants and dark shoes with white soles.

COURTESY/Karnes County Sheriff’s Office
The Karnes County Sheriff’s Office advises the public to be vigilant after an inmate escaped from the Karnes County Immigration Center on May 23. Call 911 immediately with information on Yonathan Eluid Castaneda-Flores, a Hispanic male, approximately 20 years old, with short dark hair and wearing a dark blue prison uniform. Do not attempt to apprehend him yourself.

By 12:30 a.m., local law enforcement had exhausted all leads to locate the escaped prisoner. Reports of sightings in these areas proved unfounded:
•FM 99 near CR 1353
•Near the La Quinta Inn on SH 123 and Vista Drive

Law enforcement advises the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity/persons to 911 as soon as possible.

“Do not attempt to arrest him yourself,” warns the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office.

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