Edgar transferred to Wainwright

By Chris Edwards
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The manhunt for Edgar, which lasted almost a year came to a close on Dec. 29, 2022 near Hemphill.

Edgar, a 26-year-old Sabine County man, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service. He was convicted of the murder in January of 2022, and fled during his trial proceedings.

Edgar was convicted and sentenced, in absentia, to 99 years in prison. According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service issued after his arrest, Edgar, who was on the Texas 10 Most Wanted list, was apprehended when investigators received information about his whereabouts.

His 99-year sentence was formalized during a January 3 hearing. He was transported from the Sabine County Jail to the James “Jay” H. Byrd Unit, an intake unit in Huntsville, where he was detained for a short time before being transferred.

The Wainwright Unit, which was once known as the Eastham Unit, is historic in the annals of Texas prisons. Clyde Barrow was once incarcerated there, and along with Bonnie Parker, helped a handful of inmates break out in 1934.

When Edgar disappeared, on Jan. 27, 2022, the ensuing manhunt drew national attention to the case, with Lewis’s mother telling several national news outlets that she and the family wanted closure.

When the Sabine County issued a warrant for Edgar’s arrest, law enforcement from around the region joined in on the hunt. According to Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox, in a press conference, lawmen followed leads provided by citizens and other law enforcement agencies, which took them into neighboring states. Ultimately, Maddox said, Edgar was taken into custody while sitting on the back porch of a local residence located not far from his family’s property and the actual homicide scene.

Maddox said that no other individuals were arrested with Edgar, however, two subjects were detained and later released by SCSO deputies.

“The investigation into Edgar’s disappearance continues and could eventually lead to additional arrests by the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office,” Maddox said.

According to this Texas Department of Criminal Justice file, Edgar will become eligible for parole on May 31, 2052.