| Suspect sought for 2 warrants | | Posted: Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:17 pm
| An alleged fugitive who led authorities on a chase through Martin a week ago had two warrants against him.
Marcus Dwayne “Mark” Thompson, 44, was sought by authorities in Texas for violation of the sex offender registry and violation of parole, according to U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee Jeffrey Holt.
He said local marshals had received a lead from authorities in Texas, which led them to Martin in search of Thompson.
Holt said there are certain standards of cases which prompt agencies to involve U.S. Marshals. He said they are typically called to help capture fugitives who are violent offenders or sex offenders.
In this case, Thompson had allegedly absconded from Ellis County, Texas, when he failed to meet the conditions of the sex offender registry. He was convicted in Texas in 2002 for indecent contact with a child and was ordered to serve two years in prison and be placed on the sex offender registry for life. His last report date was listed as 2011 in Texas.
Holt said information led marshals to Martin, where Thompson was seen March 22 on University Street.
Thompson was reported to have been traveling east on University Street in Martin last Thursday afternoon when U.S. Marshals attempted to stop him. He apparently tried to make a quick turn onto Skyhawk Parkway when his gold sport-utility vehicle collided with a bystander’s vehicle.
He was also accused of attempting to assault a federal agent with his vehicle in an effort to flee the scene. It was then that marshals responded with gunfire and Thompson sustained a gunshot wound in the process.
Thompson was allegedly undeterred by the gunshots and led marshals and officers from the Martin Police Department on a vehicle pursuit which ended at a residence on Church Street in Martin. Thompson was treated for injuries in the driveway of the home before being transported by ambulance to Volunteer Community Hospital.
Thompson was still hospitalized at press time today.
No other charges have been filed, but Thompson could face charges of aggravated assault against an officer and reckless endangerment, according to authorities. Holt said the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are handling the investigation and the case will be turned over to the U.S. Attorney General’s office as well as the local district attorney general’s office. Published in The Messenger 3.29.12 | | | | |
