Fugitive of almost 300 days found in shower after high-speed chase, appears in court

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Photo: Jason Joseph Krug

Jason Joseph Krug’s current criminal charges stem back to what started as a fairly routine traffic stop just before midnight in mid-September last year. After the 46-year-old Krug was pulled over, officers found drugs.

An arrest warrant was issued based on a probable cause affidavit stemming from the traffic stop. It remained outstanding for almost 300 days as Krug went on the run and remained free until his capture July 21, following a high-speed pursuit and manhunt in the Henderson area.

Krug made an appearance during a video session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday. He entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him.

He was found hiding in a shower at a residence along Deerfield Lane. Law enforcement officers were directed to the home by a canine tracking team from the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Two other people found in the residence – 41-year-old Charles Lloyd Gamble of Henderson and 25-year-old Charley Drew Curtis of Mountain Home — were also taken into custody for hindering apprehension or prosecution. Gamble has been in trouble before for being around people sought by law enforcement. In late August 2015, officers were searching for a man at a residence in Briarcliff and encountered Gamble and another male.



Photos: Charles Lloyd Gamble and Charley Drew Curtis

Gamble first ducked into a shed on the property. When he was extracted, both of the men denied seeing the fugitive or knowing his whereabouts. But, a car belonging to the man being sought was at the residence, and the engine was warm, as if it had just been parked. After a short hunt, the fugitive was captured in nearby woods “lying on the ground in heavy cover” just 40 yards from where Gamble and the other man had been standing.

Krug’s recent arrest came about after officers spotted him riding a motorcycle on Reid Lane. They were aware of the active warrant and attempted to pull Krug over, but he refused to stop.

He eventually ended up riding the motorcycle up a narrow dirt path, abandoning it and fleeing on foot.

Additional law enforcement officers came to the scene, the sheriff’s office helicopter was launched, and the canine tracking team was sent to aid in the search.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the 2019-traffic stop/drug case, Krug was charged with possessing marijuana and paraphernalia for ingesting the drug.

Krug admitting having a pistol tucked in the waistband of his pants, resulting in a charge of being in simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

In Arkansas, having guns and drugs in one’s possession at the same time is a Class Y felony, the most serious crime classification not punishable by death.

Krug is now facing a new charge of fleeing filed against him as a result of his attempt to elude capture and extend his almost year-long freedom.

In discussing bond for Krug, Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge said one of the reasons the state sought a substantial bond had to do with the fact Krug had run from law enforcement officers, putting them and the public at risk. In an apparent attempt to put a different spin on the situation, Krug told the court the potential danger in the situation was the reason he “took the bike off road, to get away from people.”

His bond is set at $50,000, and he was ordered to reappear in circuit court Aug. 6.

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