A Lexington County gang member has been returned to federal prison after escaping from a federally appointed halfway house, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Lexington resident Jake Rupert, 40, was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the charge of walkaway escape from a federal reentry facility.

Also called a residential reentry center, these centers provide “safe, structured, and supervised environments for residents and offer various programs and services” to aid in inmates’ reintegration into society, according to uscourts.gov.

The court obtained evidence showing Rupert willingly walked away from the facility in Columbia, S.C., without permission in January of 2024.

He had moved from federal prison to serve out the last six months of his 96-month sentence he had originally received for possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to the press release.

Lexington County Sheriff Department deputies found Rupert in a Gaston residence on May 27, 2024. He was immediately taken into custody to serve the rest of his original sentence. He was also charged federally with escape.

Rupert was sentenced to an additional two years in federal prison and three years of court-ordered supervision upon his release. He is not eligible for parole as he was arrested on federal charges.