A Chattanooga man who went on the lam after cutting off his ankle monitor and failing to show up for the third day of his felony murder trial is back in custody.
Christopher Padgett was arrested by Chattanooga Police in the 3200 block of South Street at 12:55 a.m. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hamilton County Jail for booking.
The Smokey Mountain Fugitive Task Force that is comprised of U.S. Marshals, Chattanooga Police Department Fugitive Unit, Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department, TBI, and Hamilton County Fugitive Unit, participated in the arrest. They were assisted by CPD Street Crimes Unit and CPD K9 Unit.
He had made a $350,000 bond just before the start of his trial in the slaying of taxi driver Nathan Deere.
He was missing when the jury early this month found him guilty of first-degree murder, resulting in an automatic life prison sentence. He was also convicted of especially aggravated robbery.
He was placed on the TBI's 10 Most Wanted List.