Man who escaped from Monterey County Jail is back in custody

The 24-year-old man who escaped from Monterey County Jail on Christmas day has been found and arrested, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department.

Agents from the Specialized Team Intervention Narcotics Gang along with officers of the Peninsula Regional Violence Narcotics Team, located Freddy G. Swanson inside a Home Depot in Seaside Sunday where he was arrested without incident. Swanson was also in possession of methamphetamine and heroin, according to the sheriff’s department.

He was transported back to the Monterey County Jail and faces escape charges and other narcotics violations, according to the sheriff’s department. Swanson is now being housed in a separate more secure unit.

On Dec. 25, 2014 Swanson escaped from one of the medium security dormitories located at the Rehabilitation Facility section of the jail, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies said Swanson climbed up a 45-degree-angled ventilation duct, punched a small four-by-two window out and was able to access the roof from where he was able to escape.

The Sheriff’s department issued a statewide Be On the Lookout report for his arrest and return to custody.

Swanson had been arrested by the Seaside Police Department on Dec. 19, 2014 for several narcotics and firearms related violations and was going through court proceedings waiting to be sentenced, according to the Sheriff’s Department.