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Escaped inmate Billy Fletcher was captured in Greenville County, S.C., on Thursday evening following a multi-state search into his whereabouts after he walked off a work detail at the Carter County Detention Center.

South Carolina authorities took Fletcher into custody after receiving a tip from the public regarding his location.

“We are now awaiting Fletcher’s extradition back to Tennessee to face an escape charge,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said. “This is very much still an active investigation into Fletcher’s escape and how it is connected with the disappearance of Victor Birchfield.”

“We are still putting together the facts of these investigations,” Sheriff Fraley continued. “When we are able to piece together more details of this case, we will release additional details.”

On June 20, 2024, Billy Fletcher, 43, of Butler, walked off from his work detail at the Carter County Detention Center shortly after 7 a.m. Fletcher was serving a three-year sentence on a violation of probation conviction.

On June 21, a woman reported to the CCSO that her father, 61-year-old Victor Birchfield, had been missing since June 19, along with his silver 2004 Toyota 4Runner.

During the course of the investigation, Birchfield’s vehicle was located in South Carolina by law enforcement personnel there. Security camera footage also placed Fletcher in the area of Greenville County, S.C., where he was later apprehended.

At this time, the search for Victor Birchfield is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Victor Birchfield is asked to contact the CCSO at 423-542-1845 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.