UPDATE: Level 3 predatory offender found, taken into custody in Virginia, Minn.
Royce Anthony Drift[Minnesota Department of Corrections]
UPDATE:
In an update Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) reported Royce Anthony Drift was taken into custody in Virginia, Minnesota, by the DOC’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit, thanks to a tip from the public.
An earlier version of this report appears below:
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is asking for the public’s help in locating a Level 3 predatory offender who violated conditions of his release.
Royce Anthony Drift, 33, was released from St. Louis County Jail on Sept. 10 and has been on fugitive status since Oct. 2, when he cut off his GPS monitoring bracelet left a halfway house in Duluth, the DOC said Wednesday.
Drift has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for sexual assault, assault, weapons violations and false imprisonment. He has ties to Eveleth, Nett Lake and Virginia, Minn.
He’s described as having black hair and brown eyes, 6 feet tall, 156 pounds and has a goatee.
DOC warned the public to not attempt to confront Drift but rather to call 911 immediately if he’s seen.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the DOC Fugitive Hotline at 651-603-0026.