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  • Writer's pictureDennis McCaslin

Arkansas' lone prison escapee has eluded officials for over 23 years after Pope County plea deal




The Arkansas Department of Corrections houses thousands of state prisoners in multiple locations ranging from the Varner Supermax facility to various county jails receiving a day rate for the individuals in their facilities.


Currently, the ADC only lists one prisoner as unaccounted for as an escapee, a now 58-year-old who was convicted on drug charges out of Pope County and has been on the run since he walked away from prison in 2001.,


According to information from the ADC, then 33-year-old Hugo Campagne was arrested on July 15, 1999 by Pope County law enforcement officials for the Manufacturing, Delivery, or Possession of Controlled Substances. Official charges were filed on August 5 and in November he entered into a plea deal in Pope County Circuit Court.


Sentenced to ten years in prison, his initial intake date was November 17 with a parole-eligible date on May 20, 2003. According to records, Campagne was a model prisoner and by 2001 he had earned work release status. Working out of the Texarkana Correction Center on March 3, 2001, Campagne walked away and hasn't been seen since.


The Arkansas Department of Corrections launched an extensive manhunt, enlisting the help of local law enforcement and even the FBI. Despite their best efforts, Campage remained elusive.


Sightings were reported in various states, but none were confirmed. There is some speculation e may have fled to Mexico ater his arrest.


When Campagne escaped, he was 6'2" tall and weighed 245 pounds. His hair was prematurely gray and he has brown eyes. He is known to have ties in and around Cicero, Illinois. He has a tattoo on his left chest, depicting praying hands and a cross with the words “HUGO 4 ARMANDA” inked beneath.


Anyone with information about the current whereabouts of Campagne is asked to call their local authorities or the Arkansas State Police.




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