Inmate missing from Iowa work-release facility

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are looking for a state prison inmate who has gone missing from the Fort Des Moines work-release facility.

The Iowa Department of Corrections identified him as 25-year-old Thomas Leon Avant. He was put on escape status Saturday after an unexcused absence from the facility.

Avant is serving a 15-year sentence out of Polk County. He was convicted of willful injury causing bodily injury and conspiracy to commit forcible felony.

Avant’s sentence began in April 2007. He’s been at Fort Des Moines since May.