Escaped Kansas Inmates Arrested in Northeast Oklahoma

Author: Gillian Tobin

COLUMBUS, Kan.- Police have arrested two escaped Cherokee County Jail inmates Friday in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office announced. 

Officers discovered inmates Mark Gerald Hopkins II, 30, and Michael Martsolf, 34, missing at approximately 11 p.m. Monday.

According to law enforcement officials, following a nearly five-day manhunt crossing state lines, police apprehended the armed escapees and took them into custody Friday. 

Hopkins faced capital murder charges in connection to a 2019 double homicide, and Martsolf initially faced felony narcotic charges.

The two now face additional charges of aggravated escape from custody, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Police also arrested Tasha Young, 26, the alleged girlfriend of Hopkins, Thursday for her supposed aid in the inmates’ escape, police announced.

She is being held without bond, facing charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated escape and abetting and obstructing justice.