Cecil Michael Stratton, 46, was recaptured early Friday in Morgan City after escaping the Berwick Police Department jail more than two days earlier. Officers say he hurled a chemical at an officer and struggled with staff before fleeing with fellow inmate Brandon Brunet, who was caught shortly afterward. Stratton was found lying in a boat at a local business and faces multiple charges including aggravated escape and battery on an officer. Authorities praised interagency cooperation that led to his arrest.
Manhunt Ends: Cecil Michael Stratton Recaptured After Two-Day Escape in Louisiana
Cecil Michael Stratton, 46, was recaptured early Friday in Morgan City after escaping the Berwick Police Department jail more than two days earlier. Officers say he hurled a chemical at an officer and struggled with staff before fleeing with fellow inmate Brandon Brunet, who was caught shortly afterward. Stratton was found lying in a boat at a local business and faces multiple charges including aggravated escape and battery on an officer. Authorities praised interagency cooperation that led to his arrest.
07:20 PM, 11/15/2025Security
Inmate Recaptured After Two-Day Manhunt
Nov. 15 — Cecil Michael Stratton, 46, of Morgan City, was taken back into custody early Friday after escaping the Berwick Police Department jail more than two days earlier, authorities said. Stratton — who has prior escape convictions from 2005 and 2009 — was arrested at about 12:15 a.m. in Morgan City after a tip that he had been seen inside a residence.
According to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Department, Stratton allegedly hurled a chemical substance at an officer's face while "jailers were securing inmates during lockdown procedures," prompting a brief struggle. During the altercation, Stratton and fellow detainee Brandon Brunet, 22, left the facility. Brunet was captured a short time later.
Officers located Stratton lying on the ground inside a boat at a business in Morgan City and took him into custody, the sheriff's office said on Facebook.
"The teamwork between agencies and the relentless man-hours invested into locating and apprehending Cecil Stratton have paid off," St. Mary Parish Sheriff Gary Driskell said. "I would like to thank the men and women of all the agencies involved for the teamwork they have displayed over the past three days."
Both escapees face multiple charges, including disarming a police officer, battery on a police officer, aggravated battery, aggravated escape and unauthorized entry of critical infrastructure.
Previous Escapes and Criminal History
Stratton's record dates back to at least 1998 and includes theft, illegal possession of stolen property, marijuana possession, attempted first-degree murder and resisting an officer, local reports said. In 2005 he escaped from the Centerville Jail in St. Mary Parish and later led police on a high-speed chase in Ouachita Parish after an alleged robbery. In 2009 he escaped from Allen Correctional Center with two other inmates; investigators said that breakout involved a compromised fence and assistance from a correctional employee.
Related Incident
Separately, authorities noted a June jailbreak in which 10 men escaped the Orleans Justice Center by climbing through a hole behind a toilet. Their absence went unnoticed for several hours; three were captured within 24 hours, the ninth was rearrested on June 27 in New Orleans, and the final escapee was arrested Oct. 8 in Atlanta.
Note: All allegations are based on statements from law enforcement and media reports. Charges and details remain subject to formal court filings and investigations.