U.S. Marshals Capture Escaped Federal Inmate in Tucson

Tucson, AZ — The U.S. Marshals Service apprehended escaped federal inmate James Casady Cangro on September 2, 2026, the same day he escaped from the Federal Prison Camp in Tucson.

At approximately 8:10 a.m., prison staff observed Cangro near the visitor parking lot of the Federal Correctional Complex at 8901 South Wilmot Road. When approached by staff, Cangro fled on foot toward Wilmot Road and was last seen entering the surrounding desert.

The U.S. Marshals Service immediately initiated a coordinated fugitive investigation and deployed all available resources and appropriate investigative tactics to locate Cangro. Working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, including the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriffs Office, and U.S. Border Patrol, Deputy U.S. Marshals safely took Cangro into custody later that day not far from the prison facility. The personnel, equipment, intelligence, and specialized capabilities provided by these partners were instrumental in swiftly locating Cangro and safely returning him to federal custody.

No injuries were reported during the apprehension. Cangro will remain in federal custody and face additional judicial proceedings related to his escape.

“The safe apprehension of this dangerous escapee on the same day he fled demonstrates the determination of our deputy U.S. marshals and the strength of our law enforcement partnerships,” said United States Marshal Van Bayless for the District of Arizona. “I want to specifically thank the Tucson Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol for their immediate response, valuable assistance, and commitment throughout this operation. Their personnel and resources, along with the efforts of our other federal, state, and local partners, were instrumental in bringing this search to a swift and safe conclusion.”

Cangro is a validated member of the Soldiers of Aryan Culture, also known as SAC, a violent prison gang that originated in Utah. His criminal history includes prior convictions for robbery in Utah, aggravated assault in Utah and Oklahoma, and firearms-related offenses. He also has a prior federal conviction for using a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

In 2025, Cangro was sentenced in the District of New Mexico to 132 months in federal prison following convictions for violent felon in possession of body armor, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

The Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals Service led multi-jurisdictional fugitive apprehension unit responsible for more than 1748 arrests in the last year. The task force is comprised of 22 agencies bringing together the resources of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the community’s most violent offenders and sexual predators.