One Of Texas’ Most Wanted Fugitives Arrested In Atmore

July 20, 2017

One of the most wanted men in Texas has been arrested in Atmore — where he’s lived for the past 20 years.

Ricky Lee Waters, age 60, has been charged with identity theft, giving false information to a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance. He’s now in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton on local charges and awaiting extradition  back to Texas.

Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said Deputy Dereck Lowry was on routine patrol near Short Street in Atmore when he was tipped off that Waters was wanted and was in a Ford F150 pickup. Lowry turned around on the vehicle on Jack Springs Road where Waters was exceeding the posted speed limit.

Waters did not have his driver’s license or insurance information with him, and he provided the deputy with a similar but false name. They also located a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Deputies found paperwork in the suspect’s wallet with the name Ricky Lee Waters, which they soon found was their suspect. They learned he was wanted out of Texas for parole violation, aggravated rape and attempted capital murder with a deadly weapon.

For the Escambia County traffic stop, Water was charged with giving false information to a law enforcement officer, identity theft and possession of a controlled substance.

Waters has lived in the Atmore area for the past 20 years on Rockaway Creek Road, just north of the Florida state line.  Lambert commended Lowry for the capture.

During those 20 years, Waters has been listed as on of the 10 Most Wanted fugitives in Texas.

Waters was sentenced to 20 years in prison back in 1979 in Texas for aggravated assault, aggravated rape and attempted capital murder.

Waters and another man abducted a young couple from a Texas bar, forcing the 20-year old man to drive his 22-year old girlfriend and Waters to a secluded area. Waters bound the man at the wrists with a belt, punched him in the face and stabbed him twice in the stomach.

After Waters and the other man left the victim to die, they took his girlfriend to a motel, where she was repeatedly raped and assaulted by both men.

Within 10 years, Waters had been paroled and got into a fight with another man at a drive-thru restaurant, tied his hands together with a belt and punched him. He was armed with a knife at the time. He was sentenced to 10 years for aggravated assault.

Comments

20 Responses to “One Of Texas’ Most Wanted Fugitives Arrested In Atmore”

  1. Nod on July 23rd, 2017 1:15 pm

    If These people would just be left in prison……….

  2. Bill on July 23rd, 2017 12:12 pm

    Waters was at my grandmother and grandfathers house Derek is also my uncle so I thank him

  3. tg on July 22nd, 2017 8:41 am

    Atmore is the perfect place to hide Sanctuary City.

  4. Mr reality on July 21st, 2017 3:15 pm

    David greenn…wow…re read the article…a kid could figure out no one died…jeezzz…smh…sad!

  5. Mr reality on July 21st, 2017 3:12 pm

    Wow…atmore reqlly draws them in…wasnt the winner who killed naomi a few months bqck living in atmore?

  6. Mangler Malachi on July 21st, 2017 3:03 pm

    Why didn’t he get a speeding ticket too?

  7. Constance Studdard Leal on July 21st, 2017 2:18 pm

    Where were the Texas lawmakers at when this lose was first sentenced? Prisoners in Texas nowadays get twice the sentence for less than half the crimes. Yep, he should beensure executed 10 years ago.

  8. Bratt resident on July 21st, 2017 2:16 pm

    We knew him as James teet he has been to my house allot this is so scary I never would have thought he wouldd hurt a fly he seemed so timid almost shy this is so shocking I wish I had known what he was really like I would have called it in myself while he was here.

  9. bratt resident on July 21st, 2017 12:49 pm

    This man has been to my house like 20 times he seemed really nice I can’t believe this it terrifies me.

  10. nearby neighbor on July 21st, 2017 10:18 am

    I have first hand knowledge of this man. I see him all the time on Rockaway Creek Rd. To think someone with his past was living right under us gives me the creeps. Thanks to the officer who got him. May he serve the rest of his life locked up.

  11. 429SCJ on July 21st, 2017 8:26 am

    He certainly would stand out in a crowd.

  12. JK on July 21st, 2017 6:47 am

    It makes me wonder what crimes he may have committed during the 20 years he lived here. That type of violence usually is part of a person’s make-up and Atmore and surrounding area has unsolved cases of missing people. Am I the only one who wonders about this mans past?

  13. rockaway resident on July 20th, 2017 10:13 pm

    It is scarey to know that a man with his history has been living in the same community I do. On the same road! I have little girls that like to play in the yard. My oldest daugther has rode horses all over the place out here, and I have too. Ususally by myself! Makes u want to close the gates, lock the doors and load the guns.Geez!

  14. David Huie Green on July 20th, 2017 4:27 pm

    If I read this right, the attempted capital murder was for the second action and that the first fellow left to die actually did. Is that right? The murder would have taken place when the Supreme Court of the time refused to allow states to kill killers.

    David for clarity

  15. Huzz on July 20th, 2017 2:30 pm

    Wonder how many he’s tried to harm in those twenty years?? I agree with paul

  16. paul on July 20th, 2017 7:32 am

    he should have been given the death penalty for his first charge. Problem solved.
    Good catch..

  17. Jon on July 20th, 2017 7:18 am

    It makes me sick to think someone would do that to someone and spend 20 years free. I worked in Atmore for 5 years and I have fond memories of it, so I’m glad this felon was apprehended. Great job, Lowry.

  18. tg on July 20th, 2017 6:42 am

    And to think he blended in well in Atmore.

  19. PJ on July 20th, 2017 6:36 am

    is that an unaltered photo? this guy has a neck like a llama

  20. Gary on July 20th, 2017 6:00 am

    Great job Atmore PD