Inmate reported missing in Gaston County back in custody

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities say an inmate that was reported missing from the Gaston Correctional Center Thursday night is back in custody.

Police said 41-year-old Thomas Walker was reported missing from the facility after being last seen at 11:21 p.m.

Officials told Channel 9 Walker was a minimum custody inmate. He was serving a sentence for larceny and was brought to the prison on Aug. 12, 2014. He was scheduled for release this June.

He turned himself in Friday night. He has now been moved to a higher custody facility and will face charges for his escape.

Walker's escape marks the sixth inmate in the last two years to escape the minimum security prison while in custody.

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