Kellum Gets 24 Months For Halfway House Escape

MONROE, La. – Terrell L. Kellum, 35, of Shreveport, Louisiana, is heading back to a federal prison cell – this time for 24 months – after pleading guilty to escaping federal custody. U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty delivered the sentence, tacking on an additional 3 years of supervised release after Kellum serves his time.

The escape stems from Kellum’s initial 57-month sentence for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, a charge he admitted to in U.S. District Court back in 2016. After serving a significant portion of that sentence, the Bureau of Prisons transferred him in December 2019 to a residential halfway house in Monroe, Louisiana, as part of a Community Based Program. Kellum signed an agreement outlining the rules and supervision he was subjected to while residing at the facility.

On March 10, 2020, Kellum brazenly walked away from the halfway house around 10:00 a.m., telling staff he was headed to work. But the story quickly unraveled. Just 27 minutes later, officers with the Monroe Police Department contacted the halfway house staff, looking to question Kellum about a string of illegal check cashing incidents. It turned out Kellum never made it to work, and never bothered to return to the facility, prompting officials to declare him an escapee.

A manhunt ensued, led by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, but Kellum managed to evade capture for over two years. It wasn’t until August 2022 that he was finally apprehended in Tarrant County, Texas, and brought back into federal custody. The prolonged freedom earned him the additional 24-month sentence, a clear message that breaking the rules, even at a halfway house, comes with a steep price.

The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Marshal’s Service and the Monroe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing. This case highlights the dedication of federal and local law enforcement to tracking down those who attempt to evade justice, even after initially agreeing to abide by the terms of their release.

Kellum’s history demonstrates a pattern of disregard for the law, first with the firearm conviction and now with this escape. While the initial sentence was for the firearm charge, this additional penalty underscores the seriousness of escaping federal custody and the resources dedicated to ensuring fugitives are brought to justice.