Caldwell County Inmate Escapes

On Friday, November 20th, at about 3:00pm, the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office was notified by Lockhart State Park officials that a trusty-status inmate working at the Lockhart State Park was reported to have disappeared between the hours of 10:30am and 12:00pm, while working at a workshop.

Sheriff Daniel C. Law was informed by Ranger Hess the black and white striped uniform worn by an outside trusty was found in the workshop and a pair of green Texas Parks and Wildlife uniform pants and a yellow raincoat were missing from the workshop. Deputies from the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office conducted a search of the State Park, but were unable to locate the missing inmate.

An arrest warrant for felony escape has been obtained for Eddie Espinoza Gonzales, 35, who has collar length black hair, brown eyes, no facial hair, a scar on left knee, and a tattoo of a long stemmed rose just below the bend of the right elbow. Gonzales was serving a 180 day sentence for driving while license suspended and for failure to appear.

Detectives are attempting to determine why a low risk inmate like Gonzales would escape from custody since he would have completed serving the sentence and be released in nine days.

Caldwell County Sheriffs deputies are conducting an intensive investigation to locate and take Gonzales into custody.

Law enforcement agencies have been notified and are assisting in capturing Gonzales.

Anyone with information regarding the location of Gonzales should contact the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office at 512-398-6747.