Search continues for escaped federal inmate

Published 4:40 pm Tuesday, January 22, 2019

BEAUMONT — An inmate at the minimum-security federal satellite prison camp remains missing more than a week after he left.

Shortly before 11 p.m. Jan. 12 it was noted that inmate Covarrubia-Mendiola, 40, was missing. He is described as a white male with brown hair and eyes, 5-foot 11-inches tall and weighs about 190 pounds. The United States Marshal’s Service and other law enforcement agencies were notified and an internal investigation was initiated, according to a press release from the prison.

Several hours prior to his escape three inmates were discovered missing but were taken back into custody and returned to the facility.

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Covarrubia-Mendiola was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas to 69 months for importing a quantity of cocaine; possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine; conspiracy to violate eight U.S. C. 1324 (A) (1) (A) (IIO); and bringing in illegal aliens.

The satellite prison camp at FCC Beaumont is a minimum-security facility that currently houses 534 male offenders in Beaumont.