A 3rd Infantry Division soldier who escaped from law enforcement last week is to be considered armed and dangerous, warns the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
Fort Stewart soldier Pvt. Daniel Jay Brazelton, who was being held in the Liberty County Jail awaiting extradition back to Los Angeles County, Calif., escaped from custody Friday while returning back to the Liberty County Jail following a medical appointment on Fort Stewart.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department stated Brazelton may be in possession of a handgun, according to an online news release. An active search for Brazelton is being conducted by local law enforcement and Army personnel.
"Suspect Daniel Brazelton is wanted for the alleged rape of a minor and for escape," said Capt. Mike Parker, Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in a news release. "He most likely is receiving help in evading law enforcement and may be attempting to return to Los Angeles County. If seen, the public is asked to call 911 and allow law enforcement to take him into
custody."
The victim and her family were notified of Brazelton’s escape and the possibility that he is en route to Los Angeles County, according to the LASD.
Brazelton is described as a 20-year-old white male, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 167 pounds, with short, cropped black hair and brown eyes. He was clean-shaven at the time of his escape. He was raised in Palmdale, Calif., according to the LASD.
Liberty County Chief Deputy Keith Moran said the Army Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation. CID officials say they, in turn, are cooperating with the LASD.
"I can tell you we are working very closely with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department as well as numerous other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies regarding this matter," CID spokesman Chris Grey said Tuesday via e-mail. "Army CID was working a joint investigation into allegations concerning this soldier with the LASD and that is why he was being held (for transport)."
Grey added CID also is investigating how Brazelton escaped from custody.
"We’re helping them (CID) with whatever they ask us to do," Moran said.
Moran said the Liberty County Jail basically serves Fort Stewart and other agencies as a suspect housing unit. The Army has its own set of procedures for transporting prisoners, he said.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Brazelton they should call 911, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office at 368-3911 or the Fort Stewart Emergency Services central dispatch at 767-2824.
Callers who want to remain anonymous can call LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).