U.S. Marshals Add New York Prison Escapees David Sweat, Richard Matt To “15 Most Wanted” Fugitives List

Washington – The U.S. Marshals Service today added David Sweat and Richard Matt, the two violent, escapees from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY, to its 15 Most Wanted fugitives list.

Sweat and Matt, convicted murderers, escaped June 6 and sparked a massive manhunt by hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement officers. Sweat was serving a life sentence for the murder of a Broome County (NY) sheriff’s deputy in July 2002. Matt was serving a sentence of 25 years to life for the murder of a man he beat and dismembered in December 1997.

“The agency’s 15 Most Wanted fugitive list is reserved for the worst of the worst,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton. “There is no question David Sweat and Richard Matt fall into this category. While their brazen prison escape has left the public on edge, it has only ignited our sheer determination to bring them back to justice. Together with our law enforcement partners, the Marshals will work tirelessly to ensure the threat they pose and their run from the law is short lived.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico said, "These dangerous men will be brought to justice. We want to assure the public that all available assets are being used to locate Richard Matt and David Sweat. The U.S. Marshals Service's MOST WANTED list is yet another way to notify the public of this escape and generate new leads. We want to thank our state, federal and local law enforcement partners, who continue to provide much needed manpower, equipment and expertise for this effort. We will continue to work together, collectively and collaboratively, until these two men are found."

“We are absolute in our commitment to apprehend these dangerous escapees and will leave no stone unturned with the help of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners during this fugitive investigation,” said Northern District of New York U.S. Marshal David L. McNulty. “Sweat and Matt have violent criminal histories and pose a significant threat to anyone who may come in contact with them.”

David Sweat - 5-foot-10 white male weighing 165 pounds with brown hair and green eyes, sports a tattoo with the word “Rebel” on his left arm and a tattoo with the letters “IFB” on his right-hand fingers.

Richard Matt - 5-foot-10 white male weighing 190 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes, bears a Marine Corps eagle, globe and anchor tattoo on his right shoulder and the words “Mexico Forever” tattooed on his back.

For each escapee, the U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading directly to his apprehension. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office or the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or the New York State Police Tip line at 1-800-GIVETIP (1-800-448-3847).