Farmington Inmate Sentenced to 15 More Years After Attempted Escape, Courtroom Disruption

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - 65-year-old Stephen Jackson received an additional 15-year prison sentence on April 11, 2025, after being found guilty of Attempted Escape from Confinement during a one-day jury trial held last December.

At trial, St. Francois County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Jackson (no relation) presented evidence showing that Stephen Jackson attempted to escape from the Farmington Correctional Center. He tried throwing a shower mat onto the razor wire of an interior fence and climbing onto a nearby rooftop before being discovered by corrections staff. Jackson was already serving prison sentences for Assault in the First Degree and Forcible Rape.

During his sentencing, Jackson, accompanied by four Department of Corrections guards, initially refused to enter the courtroom, causing a disturbance in the hallway. He was seated in a chair outside, where he pretended to fall asleep and refused to respond. Guards then placed him in a rolling office chair and wheeled him before Judge Brice Sechrest.

Judge Sechrest, aware of Jackson’s actions outside the courtroom, ruled that Jackson was faking unconsciousness and moved forward with the proceedings. The judge sentenced Jackson to an additional 15 years behind bars. Witnesses reported that Jackson appeared to make a full "recovery" once he was rolled out of the courtroom.