WELLS — A Pennsylvania man, who has been on the lam for nine months after escaping from custody in Erie, Pennsylvania last March, is behind bars in Maine.

Derek Lee Black, 34, of Albion, Pennsylvania, was a passenger in a car that was operating on the Maine Turnpike at about 4 a.m. Monday when it was stopped by police near the Wells-Ogunquit town line.

Maine Pubic Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said Trooper Richard Maguire pulled the car over for an expired registration and when questioned, gave police what turned out to be a false name. The driver, Mindy Baxter, 26, of Bangor, told the trooper she didn’t know her passenger’s full name.

Black was arrested for failing to give police his correct name, but an FBI fingerprint check at York County Jail revealed his true identity. McCausland said Black has been jailed in Pennsylvania on drug charges and disappeared form a hospital there where he had been taken for treatment of a cut on his face

McCausland said arrangements are being made for Black to be returned to Pennsylvania to face escape charges.

Baxter was issued a summons for operating a vehicle with a restricted license.

According to the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Black was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. A warrant for his arrest was issued March 17.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.



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