A manhunt is underway for Devante Gibbs. The 24-year-old was on trial, last week, for kidnapping and raping a 2-year-old girl in 2013. On Friday afternoon, while the jury deliberated, Gibbs, who was on a $60,000 bond, went outside of the Lorain County Justice Center to smoke a cigarette and never came back.
"Around 4 o'clock I was informed the jury reached a verdict and to come back to the courtroom. Mrs. Gibbs, his mom, told me she couldn't locate him," said Attorney Brian Darling.
Although Gibbs was not in the courtroom, the jury returned a guilty verdict.
In September 2013, Gibbs was watching his then girlfriend's daughter when police said he raped the little girl and then prosecutors believe put her in hot water to destroy DNA evidence.
The US Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is now looking for Gibbs. "It's a terrible crime," said Deputy US Marshal Anne Murphy. Members of the task force are working around the clock she said to track Gibbs down. "These are serious crimes, a child was harmed," added Murphy.
The U.S. Marshals are offering a reward for information about Gibbs' whereabouts. If you have information you are asked to call the Northern Ohio Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411. Tips can remain anonymous.
