Fort Smith, ARK — Authorities in Yell County successfully captured an inmate who escaped from custody Thursday afternoon while attending a court hearing at the Yell County Courthouse. Marson Rothman, 28, was apprehended shortly after his escape, following a multi-agency search effort that spanned several hours and multiple jurisdictions.
Rothman, who was facing a slew of serious charges, including arson, endangering the welfare of a minor, aggravated assault, and criminal trespass, managed to flee while in the custody of the Yell County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred during his appearance at the courthouse, where he was in the midst of proceedings related to his pending charges.
After escaping, Rothman remained at large for just over an hour. Law enforcement from several agencies, including the Arkansas State Police, Yell County Sheriff’s Department, Russellville Police Department, Pope County Sheriff’s Department, and Arkansas State Parks, immediately began a coordinated search. Officers worked tirelessly to track down the fugitive, with the effort culminating in Rothman’s capture in Russellville shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday.
The escape prompted a swift response from local authorities, who were concerned about Rothman’s potential to commit further crimes while on the run. “We’re thankful that he was apprehended without further incident,” said a spokesperson for the Dardanelle Police Department, who noted that the cooperative efforts of the involved agencies played a crucial role in the quick resolution of the situation.
Rothman has since been returned to the Yell County Detention Center, where he is being held on his original charges. Authorities are continuing their investigation into how he was able to escape custody while at the courthouse.
This incident marks the latest in a series of escape attempts across the state, drawing attention to security measures at local court facilities. As the investigation continues, officials are reviewing protocols to ensure that similar escapes do not occur in the future.