U.S. Marshal A. Jeffrey Hedden Announces the Arrest of an Escaped Federal Prisoner

A. Jeffrey Hedden, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee announces the arrest the escaped federal prisoner Michael Curtis Long. Long was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Greeneville, TN to serve 141 months for Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence and Hobbs Act violation. Long escaped with six other local prisoners from the Hamblen County Jail on 09/11/2007 and was being sought by the Morristown Police Department, the Cocke and Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Long was arrested at approximately 7:15 EDT at an undisclosed address in Morristown, TN by members of the Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force. When the officers approached the house they observed Long sitting near a campfire in the backyard with five other people. The scene was secured and there was no resistance as Long was arrested and removed from the scene. The nearby area was searched and none of the other escapees were present with Long.

Members of the Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force continue to work on the investigation of the four remaining escapees. Long was transported to an undisclosed facility to be held by the U.S. Marshals pending his appearance in U.S. District Court in Greeneville, TN on a charge of Escape, which could add as much as 60 months, if he is convicted, to Long’s current 141 month federal sentence.

Further information about the active cases and efforts of both the Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service can be located at www.usmarshals.gov or by contacting Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Warren Mays at (865) 545-4182, ext. 257.