WARSAW — A Fort Wayne man was sentenced today after escaping from Pierceton Woods Academy in May.

Austin Tyrone Gambler

Austin Tyrone Gambler, 18, 1500 Mill Road, Fort Wayne, pleaded guilty to escape, a level 5 felony.

On May 1, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to an escape at Pierceton Woods Academy. Officers spoke with a staff member who reported Gambler was placed at the academy Aug. 10, 2015, by the Indiana Department of Corrections. His release date was approximately four months away at the time of his escape.

The staff member stated he was supervising Gambler and another inmate when Gambler fled from him and escaped into the woods. An inmate told police he and Gambler planned to escape and made weapons from sticks and metal from a three-ring binder case in the event staff attempted to stop them. The other inmate decided not to escape.

In court, it was acknowledged that Gambler turned himself into authorities.

“I think it was a terrible decision to run away, but I think it was a great decision to turn himself in,” said Gambler’s attorney, John Barrett. “I don’t think Austin realized the seriousness of running off like that.”

Judge Reed sentenced Gambler to serve on year in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Gambler was granted 122 days jail credit for the time served since May 20.