DATE: March 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Driver Arrested with Gun and Drugs after Fleeing Police
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-0310
CONTACT: Lt. Matt Schnell
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
On March 10, 2025, detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force located a vehicle that had previously fled from the Evansville Police Department on two separate occasions—once late yesterday and again earlier today. In both instances, officers did not pursue, and the identity of the driver was unknown. However, it was known that the vehicle was a Cadillac with a stolen license plate attached.
Aware that the vehicle had previously fled from law enforcement, deputies in marked Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles positioned themselves in front of the Cadillac as it was stopped at the intersection of Old Business 41 and Diamond Avenue. Rather than complying, the driver, identified as Sebastian Scott Buckingham, attempted to flee, striking one of the Sheriff’s Office vehicles and causing minor damage. Following the collision, Buckingham surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.
During a search of the vehicle, detectives discovered multiple vape cartridges containing a combined total of approximately 700 grams of THC, along with several individual bags of suspected marijuana weighing approximately 480 grams in total. Additionally, they recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Buckingham has multiple prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
A female passenger was also in the vehicle, accompanied by her infant child. Detectives were unaware that a child was present at the time of the stop. Medical personnel assessed both the passenger and the child as a precaution, and no injuries were reported.
This is not Buckingham’s first attempt to flee from law enforcement. In September 2023, he fled from Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the United States Marshals Task Force. During that incident, Buckingham also struck a Sheriff’s Office vehicle and successfully escaped. He was later located and arrested in Florida.
The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force is a collaborative unit composed of detectives from the Evansville Police Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.
SUSPECT:
Sebastian Scott Buckingham
Male, 28 years old
Evansville, IN
CHARGES:
- Dealing Marijuana – Level 6 Felony
- Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun with a Prior Felony Conviction – Level 5 Felony
- Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.