Living on the Lam

Right now in Missouri, there are thousands of people running from police, living on the lam. Many are in violation of parole or probation, and ABC 17 News found out the prison system and cops are just not looking for them. So in a special investigative report we took on the job of tracking down some of the state’s dangerous criminals living right here in Mid-Missouri.In 2011, more than 7,000 offenders in Missouri absconded, meaning they violated their parole or probation with the State Department of Corrections. The problem continues to grow and the state does not want to talk about it. In fact, when we asked the department of corrections for a complete list of absconders in Boone, Cole and Callaway counties, it took them weeks. Once we finally got the list, we started to track down absconders. Using their mug shots we found many still living in mid-Missouri — we know because they are posting about it on Facebook.”Almost everybody has social media, they communicate just like everyone else does,” said Detective Chris Lester with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.For example, Rashad Washington is on parole for selling drugs and has violated that parole. Police conducted an extensive manhunt for him back in September, but he got away. They have not caught him, but we found him on Facebook. The Hickman High School alum claims to still be living in Columbia, and he is not the only one.We found more than a dozen wanted felons posting pictures, phone numbers, and videos on social media websites. Some even detailing where they are and what gang they belong to. Sergeant Mike Maynard with the Columbia Police Department told ABC 17 News that they do not typically use Facebook or social media to find absconders.However, that tactic turned out to be a great way for our news department to start moving in on some of these wanted people. In fact, social media quickly led our team to family members of four violators. First we found Michael Yancey’s mother. Yancey allegedly tried to run over his girlfriend with a car. He is supposed to be in prison, but according to Facebook he is in Columbia.His mother, Patricia Yancey said, “I haven’t seen Michael since he got in trouble.” When we asked his Patricia if she knew where her son was, she said, “No, I don’t, I have been trying to find out myself.”Next, we started searching for Keisha Kibby. She went to prison for stealing credit cards and broke the conditions of her parole.”She had a couple of days left until they took the bracelet off and she was getting antsy and she cut it off,” said Kibby’s mother.ABC 17 News found out Kibby now lives in St. Robert and still talks to her mom. Her mother told our news department, “I am a little frustrated with my daughter I told her repeatedly to call you.” Kibby never called our station, but we did track down Tyron Trower. When we called and asked if he was aware he violated his parole, Trower said yes. Trower has been behind bars for five DWI’s, now he is wanted in Callaway County for endangering a child and running from police.”They pissed me off. I was nine months out of prison, I was taking my daughter to the park they and they knew I didn’t have a driver’s license. And that’s why I ran.” Trower is still on the loose, living openly and enjoying watching his kids grow up. The question is though, if our news station could get so far in all these cases, why can’t the DOC or police?