Search continues for Pruntytown escapee

GRAFTON, W.Va. — Authorities are continuing to search for an inmate of Pruntytown Correctional Center who escaped last week.

Michael Anthony Campbell, 36, left the facility between 5 and 6 p.m. Sept. 19.

Campbell is 6 feet tall, 190 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes and has a short, buzz cut. He was last seen wearing khaki shirt and pants, with a white t-shirt.

“Authorities believe Mr. Campbell was sighted in Phillipi late Sunday, based on an article of clothing recovered at the scene,” said Lawrence Messina, director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. “The Division of Corrections, its Parole Services office and special response personnel continue to coordinate with the West Virginia State Police and other law enforcement.”

Philippi Police Department received information Tuesday that lead them to believe Campbell may still be in Philippi, and urges citizens to keep their residences and vehicles locked and secured at all times until the subject is apprehended.

Campbell was serving two 1-10 year terms and one 1-15 year term for charges of breaking and entering and grand larceny from Mercer County and delivery of a schedule two controlled substance from Logan County.

Campbell is the third inmate to escape Pruntytown Correctional Center within the past year.

The most recent Pruntytown escape occurred in March and was captured about a month later, Messina said.

Tyler Wynkoop, 25, originally of Harpery’s Ferry, was serving a 1-10 year sentence at Pruntytown on a grand larceny conviction in Jefferson County.

Wynkoop was found at a residence in Kearneysville May 2.

Michael Beavis escaped from Pruntytown in November 2016 and was sentenced to four more years in prison Monday by a Taylor County judge.

Beavis was spotted and immediately arrested at the White Hall BFS store about 2 a.m. the following day.

Beavis was indicted on a felony count of escape, and he was accused of stealing a car after he escaped. A felony count of grand larceny charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to call 911, West Virginia State Police or the Pruntytown Correctional Center.





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