Authorities Looking for Leads to Escapee - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Authorities are now contacting family and acquaintances to track down a man who escaped from the Lubbock County Courthouse on Friday. Michael Lee Fulton was at the courthouse for a Child Protective Services hearing. He went into his lawyers office and, from there, simply walked out of the courthouse alone. Fulton is a 20-year-old African American man. He's about 5' 7." He was last seen in an orange striped shirt and khaki pants.

It's important to note Fulton was not an inmate. He had been receiving treatment at the Lubbock County Community Corrections Facility. The facility treats non-violent criminals for drug or alcohol related probation violations. Fulton was on probation for burglary out of Robertson County. An escort from the facility was responsible for supervising Fulton at the courthouse when he escaped. Captain Tom Watson with the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office says, "He was not in our custody. If he had been in custody of the Sheriff's Department, he would have been handcuffed and had a guard with him. When the corrections facility brings people to hearings, they're escorted but not under guard."

When Fulton is found, he'll end up in handcuffs at the Lubbock County Jail. He now faces felony charges for an unauthorized absence from a correctional facility. The punishment is up to a judge, but Captain Watson says usually about five years can be added to the escapee's sentence.

If you have any information on Michael Fulton's whereabouts, call Crime Line at (806) 741-1000.

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