Marijuana Dealer Escapes Custody While At Central Valley Health Care Facility
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Federal authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a suspected marijuana dealer who remains on the loose after escaping custody while undergoing medical treatment at a Central Valley health care facility.
Thanousone Volarat was receiving treatment at Fresno's Community Home Infusion Center last Monday when he was seen getting into a red, newer model Honda sedan that drove away from the facility, U.S. Marshal's Deputy Tim Merrell said Sunday. He was wearing a red jumpsuit.
Volarat was being held in the Fresno County Jail and was escorted to the medical center for his treatments by Fresno County deputies. He walked out the back door of the facility.
Merrell would not say what sort of treatment the 32-year-old Volarat was receiving but said it was expected he would be seeking regular treatments at emergency rooms or medical clinics. The center's website that Volarat walked away from says it provides intravenous infusions and therapeutic injections.
Authorities are also looking for an unknown male driver who was behind the wheel of the getaway car and for a woman who may have had a role in the escape.
Volorat has ties across the country, including connections in Southern California, Connecticut and Florida, and possibly overseas in Laos, Merrell said.
Volarat was being held on federal charges after a grand jury indicted him and two others in September of 2011 for allegedly growing marijuana and distributing it in other states.
The indictments came after the seizure of nearly 2,200 marijuana plants officials said were grown by the three.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said Volarat and the two others were due to meet with prosecutors on March 11 to discuss a possible plea deal.
A reward for information leading to the capture of Volarat is being offered, but Merrell could not provide a dollar amount for the reward.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
