3/31/26 Memphis, TN – A Crockett County Inmate Stole A Spare Key And Then Stole A Patrol Car From The Jail – Took Three Days To Capture Him

March 31, 2026

www.wreg.com

A Crockett County inmate on the run for three days escaped after he stole a spare key to a patrol car from an deputy on medical leave, according to the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department.

Gerald Thomas “Pete” Samples, 59, was being held in Crockett County awaiting extradition to Virginia on 13 charges related to the sexual exploitation of children when he escaped custody Wednesday morning. He was found hiding in a wooded area on Saturday around 11:30 a.m.

CCSD said in an update on social media on Monday that Samples served as a trustee for decades, and he was only allowed outside the facility with supervision.

Deputies said that Samples had stolen a spare key to a patrol car, stolen the car, and escaped through the back door of the jail during the morning when trustees begin to prepare breakfast.

According to CCSD, Sample will appear in court on April 16 for the status of extradition to Virginia for his fugitive warrant.

The sheriff’s department said he will also appear in court on June 8 for violation of probation.

The investigation into the actual escape is ongoing, and charges for an accomplice have been filed, authorities said.

Samples is confined at another facility as he faces serious charges out of the Commonwealth of Virginia for illegal online sexual activity involving a minor victim and is only allowed to leave his cell one hour a day.