Rhea Mahbubani

Inmate on the Lam After Walking Away From Ben Lomond Conservation Camp

Leroy Hampton was convicted of first-degree robbery.

An inmate is on the loose after walking away from Ben Lomond Conservation Camp in Santa Cruz County Friday night, according to California Department of Corrections officials.

Leroy Hampton, 46, left the camp at 13575 Empire Grade Road at 10:15 p.m. Camp staff members saw Hampton leave and were unable to stop him, CDCR spokesman Jeffrey Callison said.

The roughly 110 inmates at the camp help extinguish fires.

Several law enforcement agencies are searching for Hampton who is 5 feet 11 inches tall and 178 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

He was convicted of first-degree robbery and started serving his sentence June 7, 2001, Callison said. Hampton was set to be released April 27, 2019.

Hampton was last seen wearing a gray sweats and is from Fresno County, Callison said.

Anyone who sees Hampton is being asked to call 911.

Contact Us