WAYNE COUNTY, Utah, Sept. 29, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — A violent sex offender arrested in Utah on Monday night, after escaping a Kansas mental hospital in June, said he would go on a “rape spree” if he ever got out, according to court documents.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it took fugitive John Freeman Colt, 42, into custody at about 11 p.m. Monday.
Law enforcement received multiple tips about Colt having a tent site in Wayne County, a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service writes in court documents. Wayne County Sheriff’s officers staged at a parking lot and, while there, they observed him drive by on the blue motorcycle and initiated a traffic stop. Colt was arrested after a brief high-speed pursuit.
After his arrest, a new Facebook alias was identified. “Colt posted numerous photos of his campsite, tent, motorcycle, and Colt posing with a shotgun having a pistol grip and a magazine fed rifle with a folding stock,” the document says. “On the ‘Jason Holt’ alias Facebook page, Colt posted about living in Utah, Aug. 21.”
An individual whose parents own the Chuckwagon General Store and Deli, at 12 W. Main Street in Torrey, stated that Colt began working in the store around Aug. 12.
Several members of a private Facebook page dedicated to justice for murdered Moab couple Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner have questioned whether Colt could have been in the area in mid-August when the women were shot to death and left partially clothed. Investigators in the case have not revealed whether they have any suspects.
The document says Colt was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2001, to five years in state prison in Kansas for aggravated sexual battery, attempted rape, aggravated burglary, and four counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement. “This charge was from an incident where Colt broke into a woman’s apartment, sexually assaulted her while holding his hand over her mouth, preventing her from screaming,” the document says. “Colt was sentenced to five years in prison and was required to register as a sex offender for life.”
After Colt’s sentence was completed, in 2006, the District Court in Shawnee County deemed him a “violent sexual predator and a danger to society,” the document says. Colt was remanded to the custody of the Larned State Mental Hospital in Kansas and assigned to the Sexual Predator Unit.
“While at Larned State Hospital, Colt has said that his hostility towards women is escalating, and if he ever gets out he will go on a ‘rape spree,'” the document says. “The clinical psychologist testified in court that Colt has become too dangerous to be released as he would be at high risk of committing a future sex offense.”
On June 30, Colt escaped from the state hospital.
“Colt appears to have been aided in his escape by an employee at Larned State Hospital,” the document says. “Communications discovered by law enforcement reveal Colt had established an intimate relationship with the employee and discussed plans for his escape months in advance. Colt was seen repeatedly mentioning Colorado in messages with the employee.”
In communications with the employee, the suspect discussed his intent to camp in rural areas, specifically discussing the Rocky Mountains, to avoid contact with persons that could identify him. He then outlined his plan to travel to Mexico after law enforcement interest waned. His planning included obtaining an accurate counterfeit hospital ID, clothing, a tent, a solar cellphone charger, other camping equipment, and a motorcycle.
A statement from the Kansas U.S. Marshals Service adds: “The morning of his escape he shaved off his long hair and beard. He put blankets under his bed covers making it appear he was still in bed sleeping. He was then able to convince a new staff worker (that he targeted) that he was in fact a new doctor and needed help finding his way out. Posing as a doctor, Colt was able to make his way past five secured doors and ultimately outside the gates.”
Several hours passed before staff noticed he was missing and alerted the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office. After escaping, Colt received a ride from a local farmer to the town of Larned.
Colt then traveled west toward Colorado and made purchases in Scott City, Kansas, 70 miles from the Colorado border. His activity was captured on surveillance video. While in Scott City, he asked for direction to Garden City, Kansas.
Escape flyers of Colt were distributed to federal, state, and local law enforcement in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Utah. The Kansas U.S. Marshal offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect.
