Macon couple arrested in Miss. after man flees during trial

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested a Macon man and his girlfriend Thursday in Meridian, Miss. on several charges, including bail jumping, a news release said.

According to the release, Kelvin D. Carswell, 32, was on trial in Bibb County Superior Court on armed carjacking and aggravated assault charges. Carswell, who was out on bond, allegedly left the courthouse with his girlfriend, Tuwanda Smith, and never returned.

Carswell was tried and sentenced to 15 years in prison for the carjacking charge.

Carswell was facing a charge of possession of a firearm by a felon from the Macon police during the time he allegedly fled. A Macon Regional CrimeStoppers tip told officials that Carswell and Smith were in a motel in Meridian, where marshals arrested the couple.

Smith was charged with hindering apprehension of a fugitive.

Carswell has been arrested 21 times since 1998.

This story was originally published January 26, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Macon couple arrested in Miss. after man flees during trial."