Mother of wanted man now charged in helping escape

There is a new charge in the case of a former Army Ranger who skipped out on his sexual assault trial in Kentucky an hour before being found guilty on multiple counts. This time that criminal charge is aimed at his mother.

John C. Buckley IV has been wanted since July 12. He could serve around 20 years on the sexual assault and false imprisonment charges.

Authorities in Lexington have announced they’ve issued an arrest warrant for Sandra Merritt, Buckley’s mother and a Colorado Springs resident. She reported her rental car was stolen by a stranger during the trial but, according to authorities, her son took the car.

Filing a false report is a misdemeanor.

A source close to Merritt said she did not know her son took the car but did not want to speak on the record about the new charge.

KRDO Newschannel 13 spoke with Buckley’s father, John C. Buckley III in July. He called his son a family man and not the monster that’s been portrayed by prosecutors. He begged his son call him so he could arrange a surrender.