MILTON — Circuit Judge John Simon sentenced John Saatio, 36, of Michigan, to 15 years in state prison, State Attorney Bill Eddins announced.
Saatio entered a plea straight to the court on Nov. 2, 2016, on the charges of escape and possession of a concealed handcuff key.
On July 2, Saatio was being transported in a private prisoner transportation van heading from Texas to Michigan. While at a rest stop off Interstate 10 in Santa Rosa County, he used a makeshift handcuff key to remove his handcuffs and escape from custody.
After an extensive manhunt, Saatio was apprehended by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office near Elvis Presley Road in East Milton the next day.
Saatio previously escaped custody from the State of Michigan and fled to Costa Rica, where he was extradited back to the United States.
Saatio has outstanding warrants from Michigan for home invasion robbery and destruction of police property.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Michigan man gets 15 years after fleeing in Milton