Man accused of escaping custody in Marion now faces felony charge
Richard Wilson Garrett
The man who is accused of escaping from custody last week in Marion is now facing a charge in the incident.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins announced Wednesday that Richard Wilson Garrett, 51, has been charged with a felony after escaping lawful custody while under involuntary commitment at a state mental health facility.
“The rule of law does not pause because a person is housed in a hospital, a jail, or a prison,” said Blevins, who authorized the charge. “When an individual escapes from lawful confinement, my office will act decisively and hold that person accountable.”
Garrett is a Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute patient with previous assault and escape charges.
According to media reports, in 2021, Garrett escaped custody when receiving care at Central State Hospital. He apparently ran from hospital staff when being taken between buildings.
In 2012, a separate media report says he escaped when several prisoners were being moved from lockup for court appearances. In that case, Garrett was accused of driving away in a truck and then trying to strike a court officer. Then, in a pursuit, he hit two sheriff’s deputy patrol cars. According to online Carroll County Circuit Court records, guilty pleas were entered for an array of charges, including attempted capital murder of a police officer, three counts of malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, escape by a felony offender and others.
However, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The records show a psychiatric evaluation in late 2013 and regular orders continuing until 2027 for mental health examinations.
In Marion, Garrett is accused of escaping custody while receiving dental care.
Marion Police officers and other law enforcement agencies responded, and Garrett was taken back into custody in about an hour’s time.
Blevins emphasized that employees working in correctional institutions, jails, and behavioral health facilities perform difficult and often dangerous public service every day.
“The men and women tasked with supervising committed individuals work in challenging environments that most citizens never see. They deserve the full backing of the justice system when the law is violated. Whether someone is committed to the Department of Corrections or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, the expectation is the same: lawful orders will be obeyed.”
The Commonwealth’s Attorney further said that his office will continue to prosecute escape offenses and other threats to institutional safety without hesitation.
“We will unapologetically enforce the law, protect the public, and stand with the professionals who carry out these demanding responsibilities every day,” Blevins said.
These are criminal allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Garret was arraigned Thursday in Smyth County General District Court.
