A Baxter Springs man has been sentenced in Cherokee County District Court.

46-year-old James Eric Paul Thompson was given a 14-month sentence. In May 2022, Thompson pled guilty to felony theft. As a result of the plea, Thompson was ordered to surrender himself to the Cherokee County Jail in August and then be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections and serve a 16-month sentence. After failing to surrender, Cherokee County authorities sought an arrest warrant on Thompson for aggravated escape from custody.

In March, Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputies searched a rural Baxter Springs home where Thompson was hiding. During the incident, Thompson resisted law enforcement and a Sheriff's K-9 was deployed to aid in his apprehension. Thompson is currently being held in the Cherokee County Jail pending transfer to the state Department of Corrections.