Missing man found after swimming away from deputies

The Camden County Sheriff’s Office says a man declared missing after escaping law enforcement in March has been found and arrested.

Deputies arrested Mathew Valentine, 37, in Benton County, a month and a half after he disappeared. In mid-March, deputies got a tip about Valentine being near the Tunnel Dam on the Big Niangua on March 8. Valentine had several warrants for his arrest at the time.

When deputies arrived, Valentine saw them and, without alerting the deputies to his presence, swam across the river to try and hide in a cave. Valentine did not make it across, however, and was swept downstream. That was the last time he was seen until April 18, when he was arrested in Benton County.

Valentine’s first court appearance is scheduled for May 31.