Fugitive Defendant Captured Overnight After Fleeing Courthouse, Sentenced To 40 Years

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A man convicted on a felony methamphetamine charge was captured after fleeing the courthouse during jury deliberations and was later sentenced to 40 years in prison, authorities said.

Michael Dean Wetch was originally arrested April 29, 2025, following a traffic stop in Splendora conducted by a deputy with the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. He was charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1, methamphetamine, in an amount of four grams or more but less than 200 grams.

On Jan. 21, 2026, Wetch appeared in the 435th District Court for trial proceedings and was not in custody at the time. During a recess while the jury was deliberating, Wetch left the courthouse and stopped communicating with his attorney. After the court bailiff confirmed Wetch had absconded, the presiding judge immediately issued an arrest order.

Deputies and detectives with Precinct 4 launched an intensive search, canvassing known addresses and locations associated with Wetch. After roughly 10 hours, investigators located him just before 1:30 a.m. at a residence in Humble. With assistance from the Humble Police Department, deputies made contact and took Wetch into custody without incident.

Wetch was transported to the Montgomery County Jail. On the morning of Jan. 22, he was returned to the 435th District Court, where the jury formally sentenced him to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Constable Kenneth Hayden said the case underscores the consequences of attempting to evade justice.

“Running from the courtroom doesn’t erase a verdict—it adds to the consequences,” Hayden said. “Our deputies and detectives stayed on him until he was in custody.”