The search is on for an inmate who escaped custody while being transported from Lincoln to Dodge County Wednesday afternoon.
Dodge County officials say the deputy was transporting 37 year old Eric G. Scott from the Lincoln Diagnostic and Evaluation Center to the Dodge County Jail when a physical altercation broke out around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon.
At the time, Scott and the deputy were traveling northbound on Highway 77, about three miles south of Ceresco, Nebraska. The deputy was forced out of the vehicle and Scott drove away on southbound Highway 77. The deputy is being treated at a hospital as a precaution.
The car Scott drove off in was found Wednesday night in the parking lot of the Nebraska Furniture Mart.
Scott is a registered sex offender and was being transported for a court appearance on charges of three counts First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Intentional Child Abuse. He has a history of sexual violence and alcohol abuse and has been in and out of prison since 2002.
Scott is described as Native American, 5'10 and weighs 190 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous as it is believed he has the deputy's 40-caliber Glock handgun. The vehicle is a dark gray 2012 Chevy Impala with Nebraska Government plates 42650.
Authorities say if anyone sees Scott do not approach him and call 911 immediately. Any information concerning Scott's whereabouts, or where he may be headed, should be directed to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office at 402-727-2700, the Nebraska State Patrol or local law enforcement.