Officials issue warning about escaped felon

Authorities are warning Spokane-area residents to be on the lookout for an escaped felon who has mental disorders and should be avoided. Anyone who sees Anthony E. Burke, aka Anthony Garver, should immediately call 911.

Spokane County sheriff’s Detective David Thornburg said in a news release Sunday that Burke, 21, was released from federal prison in California on Thursday and disappeared while traveling by bus to Spokane.

Burke, who stands 5 feet, 11 inches, weighs 185 pounds and has brown hair and eyes, failed to report to the Geiger Work Release Center at 5 p.m. Friday as required. The U.S. Marshals Service has since issued an escape warrant for Burke, who has been involved with threats to public officials and witnesses involved in his trial.

Burke was sentenced to three years of incarceration and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to the federal charge of possession of ammunition after having been committed to a mental institution. He was also under investigation by the Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force for threats to blow up public buildings and cause mass casualties at public events.

On Saturday, Burke was seen in the area of Forker and Morrison roads.

“Burke has a history of mental disorders and has been violent in the past,” Thornburg said.