Tallahassee Man Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Escape

Tallahassee, FL – Derek Somerset, 46, has been sentenced to an additional two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to escaping from custody. The sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Details of the Escape and Recapture

Somerset was initially serving a 48-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institute at Hazelton for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On October 15, 2024, he was furloughed with the expectation of completing his sentence at a residential re-entry facility in Tallahassee [WCTV]. However, Somerset failed to report to the facility.

Authorities located Somerset two months later in a motel parking lot. He subsequently pleaded guilty to escaping from the custody of the Attorney General and the Attorney General’s authorized representative [PublicNow].

Joint Investigation

The case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Tallahassee Police Department and the United States Marshals Service [WCTV].

Previous Guilty Plea

Somerset had previously pleaded guilty to escaping from custody on August 22, 2025 [MiamiDaily].

Statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

U.S. Attorney Heekin stated, “I appreciate the work of the Tallahassee Police Department and the United States Marshals Service in this case.” [WN.com]