Man who escaped Southeast Missouri jail captured

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Freedom for a Butler County jail trusty who ran from a work detail Friday was relatively short-lived. Richard Matthew Trice, 23, was arrested about midnight, slightly more that 12 hours after his escape.

Trice was arrested without incident near one of his relatives residences in Neelyville, Mo., said Scott Wiggs, assistant chief deputy sheriff.

Asked how Trice was tracked to Neelyville, Wiggs said it was "through investigative techniques" normally used in situations like this one.

Two women were arrested by Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs in connection with Trice's disappearance. Both women knew Trice was an escapee but did nothing to notify authorities about his whereabouts, Wiggs said

Amy Lynn Meeks, 24 of Neelyville was arrested at 11:15 p.m. Friday on suspicion of hindering prosecution.

Christy Marie Jones, 30, of Doniphan, Mo., was arrested at 1 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of hindering prosecution and aiding the escape of a prisoner.

When arrested, Trice was a passenger in Jones' car, Wiggs said.

Originally, Trice faced charges of robbery and armed criminal action, Wiggs said. Now authorities will seek escape from custody charges against him.

Trice, who had been a jail trusty for several month, was loading food carts on a truck at the backdoor of the justice center about 6 a.m. Friday when he "jumped over the rail and ran," Dobbs said.

Dobbs explained that those prisoners are who are chosen trusties are "least likely to be a danger to society."

Pertinent addresses:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Doniphan, Mo.

Neelyville, Mo.