By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Dec. 7, 2000
UNION When Chris "Pee Wee" Cleveland escaped from the Neshoba County jail Monday night, authorities in at least two counties went on the lookout.
Wednesday, as Cleveland remained on the run, his name was added to a national database that tracks criminals, alerting law officers across the country he is wanted in Mississippi.
Cleveland escaped just hours after his conviction in Newton County Circuit Court of aggravated assault for the April 19 shooting of Cleveland McCall a drug trial witness whose testimony helped send former Newton County deputy Trellis Windham to prison. Cleveland, who is Windham's nephew, was being held in Neshoba County until his sentencing, which had been scheduled for today.
Union police had taken Cleveland into custody at his mother's home in Union on July 19, after authorities chased leads in the area and out of state for three months after McCall's shooting.
Allen said he thinks Cleveland may leave the state but authorities everywhere will be watching for him because he is listed with the National Crime Information Center.
Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight said his deputies, Neshoba County deputies, Philadelphia police and Decatur police are also looking for Cleveland.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.