Man who fled courthouse found

Lorain man fled courtroom before guilty conviction

On Feb. 10, Devante Gibbs was on trial for rape, kidnapping, felonious assault and child endangerment.

A team of U.S. Marshals arrested Devante Gibbs Late Saturday in California.

According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service:

A U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force received a tip late Feb. 17 and within 24 hours arrested Gibbs, 24, at a home in Los Angeles.

Gibbs ran out the back door but was caught quickly.

On Feb. 10 in Lorain County, Gibbs was on trial for rape, kidnapping, felonious assault and child endangerment. The victim was a twoyear-old child.

During jury deliberations, Gibbs left the courthouse and did not return. He was found guilty on all counts.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force immediately investigated the case, featured Gibbs as a Fugitive of the Week, and posted his picture on Lamar billboards across northern Ohio.

Now that Gibbs is in custody, he waits for extradition to Ohio. He possibly faces more charges.

“The reach of this task force is great and officers do not rest until fugitives like Devante Gibbs are in custody,” indicated U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott in the news release. “Knowing that Gibbs will be spending a considerable amount of time in custody will hopefully bring the victim’s family some peace.”

A news release from Lorain County Sheriff Phil R. Stammitti, Gibbs was found in the home a cousin in Long Beach, Cali. He remains in Long Beach City Jail. Detectives continue to investigate how Gibbs traveled to California and who helped him along the way. Anyone who knowingly helped his flight from justice can be arrested and prosecuted also.

Deputy Greg Hudson of LCSO “was tenacious in following every lead, and (he) worked tirelessly at all hours of the day to hasten the apprehension of Gibbs,” according to the release. Hudson serves on the sheriff’s office warrant unit, and NOVFTF.

Anyone with information about a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED, or 1-866-492-6833, or text anonymously with a keyword “WANTED” and your tip to TIP411 or 847411, or send a tip to a webpage.

Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force — Lorain County Division includes police departments in Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Brunswick, Brunswick Hills, Elyria, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sandusky, and Sheffield Village, as well as Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and U.S. Marshals Service.

Gibbs