Inmate Escapes From North Georgia Courthouse

ROME, GA — Authorities in north Georgia were searching for an inmate who escaped from the Floyd County Courthouse in Rome on Monday afternoon.

Dustin Earl Cotton, 26, ran away from the courthouse early Monday afternoon, according to authorities. He was last seen at a car lot near Glenn Milner Boulevard in Rome.

The Floyd County Sheriff's Office said an orange shirt and shackles were found a block away from the courthouse.

Cotton is believed to be wearing a white T-shirt and orange inmate pants. He is described as a white male, standing 5 feet 6 inches and weighing about 165 pounds. He has several tattoos, including a spider web on his left leg, the word "Heaven" in Japanese letters on his neck, a Grim Reaper on his right arm and a dragon on his right forearm.

He was jailed facing multiple felony charges following an armed robbery and police chase in January. According to the Rome News-Tribune, Cotton was charged with the holdup of a Marathon convenience store on Jan. 30.

After the robbery, Cotton allegedly put a gun to the side of a woman in the parking lot and demanded that she get into her vehicle. A struggle ensued, and he ended up knocking the woman to the ground before stealing the vehicle and leading officers on a chase into Bartow County, police say.

Anyone who has information about Cotton's whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately.

Photo courtesy Floyd County Sheriff's Office