MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two persons of interest have been named in the manhunt for an escaped rapist from an Arkansas prison Friday.
According to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Misty Hartman, believed to be Samuel Hartman's sister, and Linda Annette White, believed to be his mother, are considered persons of interest and may have helped the convicted rapist escape from a prison work detail Friday morning.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections said to call them at (870) 295-4700 with any information as to the whereabouts of the two. They may be armed and dangerous, so the D.O.C. said not to approach them.
Hartman is believed to be in the Tunica County, Mississippi, area, but has ties to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, according to the Arkansas D.O.C.
The Tunica County, Mississippi, Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for the vehicle pictured below. A vehicle matching this description is a 2021 Chevy Z71 Trail Boss white in color that may be bearing Arkansas license plate number 398 ZVY, or none at all.
Those who see a vehicle matching this description should contact Tunica County Sheriff’s Office at 662-363-1411, ext. 1 for dispatch.
Hartman escaped from the East Arkansas Region prison Friday, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Hartman, 38, is 5 feet 9 inches tall and he weighs 230 pounds. Hartman has heart, sword, “Forever & Always,” and “Sam-N-Christine” tattoos.
ADP said his last known address was 281 Persimmon Point Rd. Magazine, Arkansas in Logan County.
The Tunica County Sheriff's Office said they are actively searching for Hartman, and he is armed and dangerous.
The Sheriff's Office said there was a vehicle located two miles west of casino resort area - across the river, on the Arkansas side of the river. Arkansas State Police stated that a farmer reported to have seen two abandoned jet skis on a boat ramp.
The Sheriff’s Office has located the two jet skis abandoned on a boat ramp near Mhoon Landing Park that are believed to be used by the suspect due to the location the watercrafts were located. It is believed that Hartman is accompanied by one or more individuals.
The jet skis are being processed by Mississippi Bureau of Investigation at this time.
All area schools in Tunica County were on lock down as a precaution, but all students were released on time, the school district said, and all local businesses are on high alert.
This is a developing story. We will update this as more information becomes available.
