Gary Justin Russell showed up at police barracks to update his sex offender compliance.
A Pennsylvania registered sexually violent predator who attempted to escape from Pennsylvania State Police at its Skippack barracks when an annual compliance update revealed an active warrant for 19 child pornography-related felonies has been charged in that incident.
Gary Justin Russell, 35, of the 700 block of Lance Place, Reading, Berks County, formerly of Phoenixville, was charged Aug. 13 with felony charges of escape and evading arrest or detention on foot, and misdemeanor resisting arrest, according to charging documents.
The registered sex offender is incarcerated at Montgomery County jail, awaiting trial on 19 felonies filed by Upper Providence Township Police for an incident that allegedly occurred June 4, 2024.
Police said Russell arrived at the barracks at 2071A Cressman Road at 3:50 p.m. July 18 for a semiannual compliance appearance, but a criminal record query revealed an active arrest warrant from Upper Providence.
Russell, police said, told them he was aware of the warrant and planned to turn himself in on Monday. Police detained Russell and he was allowed to talk to his mother, who was in the lobby, prior to transport to Upper Providence police, according to the affidavit.
At 4:34 p.m., as Russell was speaking to his mother, he allegedly ran and escaped out the front door of the barracks. Police gave chase and a trooper grabbed Russells’s back while attempting to pull him to the ground, police said.
The trooper fell on the ground, landing on his left leg, police said. Then, more officers gave chase and Russell lost his footing and fell on the ground, police said. He was taken into custody and detaind.
Police said the injured trooper was taken to Einstein Hospital for a suspect injury to his left leg, as he was unable to walk.
Russell was arrested in March 2014 by Whitpain Township Police on charges of aggravated indecent assault on someone less than 16, and aggravated indecent assault, and later was found guilty by trial on March 18, 2015, per court records. His sentencing required he register as a Pennsylvania sex offender.
According to the PA Megan’s Law database, Russell is a sexually violent predator, who formerly listed his residence status as a transient who resided in the area of Walmart on South Trooper Road in West Norriton Township.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
