Sex offender charged with escape from Leavenworth facility

A registered sex offender has been charged with escape after failing to return to a federal work release facility in Leavenworth.

Steven Ray Walls, 50, was less than a month away from being released from custody when he left the facility on Jan. 23 and failed to return, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court.

He was serving a federal prison sentence for failing to register as a sex offender. He was previously convicted in Wyandotte County District Court of attempted aggravated sexual battery.

Walls was transferred to the Leavenworth facility last August and was scheduled to be released from custody on Feb. 20, according to court documents.

He had a pass from the facility to go to work on Jan. 23, but has yet to return, according to the court documents.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 9:31 AM with the headline "Sex offender charged with escape from Leavenworth facility."