Probation officer accused of harboring, having sex with fugitives

HOUSTON –  A Harris County probation officer has been charged with aiding two men who escaped from a court-mandated substance abuse treatment facility last May.

Investigators said Karla McKeown, 37, was involved in a romantic relationship with one of the men, who is still at large.

According to court records, four men escaped on May 4 from the Peden Community Corrections Facility at 600 North San Jacinto St., after one of them set off a fire alarm.

Investigators said that one of the men, Raymundo Alzamora, 26, was involved in a romantic relationship with McKeown, who worked a second job at the treatment center.

Law enforcement sources said after they escaped, Alzamora called McKeown, who then drove to meet him. She took him and another escapee, Joshua Parsons, 27, back to her home in Spring, Texas.

On May 8, Harris County warrant officers went to the house in the 25300 block of Pepper Ridge Lane looking for Parsons from a tip they received, officials said.

A neighbor, Brandon Alsobrooks, said that he saw Parsons trying to escape out the back door.

“I hopped up on the fence and seen the dude run out and he met the cops right at the corner, and he took off back inside the house.” Alsobrooks said. “The cops ran in the house and next thing I know they’re bring(ing) this young man out.”

Parsons was recaptured, but according to sources, the officers missed Alzamora, who was possibly hiding in a closet inside the house, officials said.

Officers was informed that Alzamora had been there months later when Parsons began cooperating with police.

Alzamora remains at large. He’s charged with aggravated assault and unauthorized absence from a correctional facility.

McKeown was allowed to retire from the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department on July 8. She has now been charged with two counts of hindering apprehension, a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison upon conviction.