Jackson, MS - Things just got tougher for a man his friends describe as a “cracked-out maniac,” and who was pursued on kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated assault charges by Mississippi authorities. Today, Elliott Evan Stamps became the focus of a nationwide manhunt by the United States Marshals Service, which added him to the agency’s famed “15 Most Wanted Fugitive” list.

Stamps, 38, is charged with some of the most gruesome acts ever committed by a violent fugitive on their Most Wanted list. Wielding a hammer against a 55-year-old female victim -- as well as stabbing her multiple times -- Stamps drove the injured woman around the Jackson area, withdrawing ATM cash from her checking account in order to purchase and use crack cocaine. The nightmarish ride ended when he allegedly left the woman for dead in a trailer park. The victim regained consciousness long enough to get help, but faced days of life-or-death medical procedures.

“This fugitive has a four-page criminal rapsheet that stretches back 19 years,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director John F. Clark. “He will be captured and he will face justice,” said Clark, “but until he’s arrested, Elliott Stamps must be considered a violent threat to any community where he is hiding.” Stamps occasionally uses the nickname “Ricky,” and may have fled the Gulf Coast region. He could be hiding in the Chicago vicinity.

Charges stemming from the April 30, 2007, incident in Mississippi include kidnapping, aggravated assault and armed robbery. A federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued in the Southern District of Mississippi.

Because of the United States Marshals’ expertise in nationwide fugitive pursuits, state authorities and Jackson officials asked that Stamps’ name be added to the “15 Most Wanted” list. The agency has focused its Regional Fugitive Task Forces in the Gulf Coast area and in the Great Lakes area on the Stamps case.

The alleged kidnapping and assault may not have been Stamps’ first attempt at murder. In 1989, he confessed to shooting and killing a man who had been arguing with Stamps’ mother. Court records indicate that he gave a signed statement admitting to the crime. Signed witness statements also were obtained from his mother and grandmother.

Elliott Evan Stamps is a black male, 5’7” tall and weighs 210-250 pounds. He has scars on his nose, both arms and scars from a gunshot wound on his abdomen. He has a tattoo on his right arm and scars from stitches on his right elbow. He is wanted for kidnapping, armed robbery-aggravated assault with a weapon, probation violation – possession of cocaine, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He has numerous social security numbers and uses two birthdates – June 11, 1970, and a false birthdate of September 11, 1972. In addition to the U.S. Marshals’ “15 Most Wanted Fugitive” list, Stamps has been on the State of Mississippi’s “Most Wanted Fugitive” listing since February.

A reward for information leading to Stamps arrest is being offered, and members of the public with information about his whereabouts are urged to call 1-800-336-0102. For more information, see the U.S. Marshals Service website: www.usmarshals.gov. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted Fugitive” list. During that time, 192 of 210 fugitives on the listing have been found, leading to the convictions of some of the nation’s most violent felons.

  Updated News Release

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