Escaped inmate from prison work crew in Thurston County is found

LITTLEROCK, Wash. – Authorities said Tuesday night they found a 28-year-old inmate who escaped from the Capitol State Forest work crew Tuesday morning.

The Washington Department of Corrections said Javier Lopez-Esteves walked away from the unit about 10:05 a.m.

Correctional employees initiated an inmate recount and escape procedures. The facility notified local and state law enforcement, and activated inmate recovery teams.

Lopez-Esteves (391185) was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm 2 and two counts of manufacture, deliver, or possession with intent to deliver narcotics out of Thurston County.

He began serving his 45-month sentence on July 28, 2017. His expected release date had been tentatively set for April 9, 2019.