U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force Captures Escaped Fugitive

CRESTVIEW, FL -The U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force, and members from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Mansel William Swaney, aka “Bill Swaney” 12 a.m. this morning. Swaney, 41, of the 6000 block of Santee Road, is wanted in Kansas City, Missouri for violating his parole after serving time for a conviction of armed robbery. Upon his arrest, Swaney was also charged with Providing Law Enforcement with a False Name and Theft. At the time of his arrest, Swaney still had the handcuffs on his wrists, but apparently had someone else cut the links off earlier.

Task Force members from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office had contacted deputy marshals earlier Sunday afternoon after Swaney had escaped from an Okaloosa Patrol Deputy’s police cruiser. Swaney was in the back of the cruiser after being arrested on Domestic Battery charges; when he pulled his hands still in handcuffs out from underneath his legs to the front and tried to kick the cruiser window out. Eventually, he was able to get the window down and went out head first and ran into nearby woods. Also on hand to assist was Escambia County Sheriff’s Air Unit and the Florida Department of Corrections bloodhounds. However, by the end of the day Swaney had still not located. When Swaney escaped, he was wearing only boxer shorts and the handcuffs.

“We (the Task Force) decided to stick it out to the end,” said Task Force Coordinator Deputy Marshal Dominic Guadagnoli. “Based on the weather and what he was wearing, we figured he couldn’t have gone too far,” said Guadagnoli. “We were determined not to give up without finding him,” he added.

The Task Force’s investigation eventually led them back to his house where it all started. Once they were there, they determined there were people inside who wouldn’t open the door. Eventually, with the help of Okaloosa Patrol Units they gained entry into the residence. Swaney was arrested without further incident and brought to the Okaloosa County Jail. Also arrested was 19 year old Christopher Wayne Munden who was charged with Providing a False Name to Law Enforcement and Accessory After the Fact; when it was learned that it was Munden who helped cut the handcuffs from Swaney. A car that appeared to have been stolen from Alamo Rental Company was also recovered.
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