Law enforcement in Deep East Texas is searching for an inmate who escaped in the early morning hours on Wednesday.
Miguel Alejandro Zuniga was last seen on camera in the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at 700 South 4th St. in Crockett at 1:49 a.m. on September 7. He was in custody for drug-related charges.
Houston County Sheriff Randy Hargrove issued a notification on social media at 4:01 a.m. that his office was searching for the escaped inmate, a 5’6” tall Hispanic male with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing gray pants and a white t-shirt.
Zuniga was able to walk away from the area while performing duties assigned to him as a trustee.
Authorities believe Zuniga had assistance from his girlfriend Melissa Pearl Ortiz, who “planned to meet him and provide transportation.”
The sheriff’s office said both are to be considered dangerous.
Anyone with information on Zuniga’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 right away.
