Zackory James Sadler, 34, a former resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, is back behind bars after pleading guilty to escaping federal custody — the second time he’s bolted from the system. The announcement came today from United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, who confirmed the guilty plea in federal court in Pittsburgh.
Sadler pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose to a single count of escape, stemming from a failed check-in with his federal Probation Officer on December 19, 2018. Though granted temporary leave from the Renewal Center halfway house in Pittsburgh, Sadler never showed for the meeting — and never returned to the facility.
The fugitive hunt kicked off immediately. The United States Marshals Service Fugitive Unit launched an investigation while staff at the Renewal Center scrambled to contact Sadler’s friends and family. For 43 days, he vanished — until December 21, 2019, when Sadler walked back into the halfway house unannounced. He was swiftly removed and returned to full federal incarceration.
This escape wasn’t his first. Sadler was already serving time due to a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm — a sentence he violated once before by fleeing custody. His criminal pattern didn’t surprise prosecutors, who painted a picture of a man repeatedly flouting court-ordered supervision.
Judge Ambrose has scheduled sentencing for May 16, 2019, at 1 p.m. The law allows for up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the final term will hinge on the seriousness of the offense and Sadler’s lengthy criminal history, including multiple custody breaches.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting the case. The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Pending sentencing, Sadler remains remanded in federal prison, where he’s likely to stay for years to come.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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