Inmate Arrested On New Charges Following Courthouse Escape
AMITE (June 15, 2026)- A Tangipahoa Parish Jail inmate has been rebooked on new charges after escaping from the Tangipahoa Parish courthouse Monday morning.
Donnie Stevenson, 19, has been charged with one count of Simple Escape.
Around 10:20 a.m., a barefoot, shackled inmate in an orange jumpsuit, confirmed quickly as Stevenson, was seen climbing over the loading dock gate at the back of the parish courthouse on Bay Street in Amite. TPSO deputies and Amite Police immediately began a search of the area. After a 5-minute track by TPSO K-9Gunner, Stevenson was found hiding under a truck one block from the courthouse near Duncan Avenue and Mulberry Street, concluding the 30-minute search effort.
Stevenson, who is awaiting trial for 1st Degree Rape, Aggravated Kidnapping, Armed Robbery and Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, has been housed at Angola since December when he briefly escaped the courthouse under similar circumstances. He will be transported back to Angola following processing for this incident.
At this time, one deputy has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation into this incident continues. Additionally, the TPSO is actively working with parish government to increase the security features of the courthouse loading dock area.
TPSO Public Information Office, pio@tpso.org
