The Colorado Springs Police Department confirms two officers are now assigned to searching for an escaped convict from Lexington, Ky.

On July 12, a jury found John Calvin Buckley IV guilty of rape, sodomy, assault and unlawful imprisonment.

But according to 11 News sister station WKYT, Buckley fled the courthouse before the jury handed down that decision. The 29-year-old cut all ties, leaving behind his ankle monitoring bracelet and cellphone.

"Obviously this guy chose not to come back. It's as simple as cutting the bracelet off, leaving his phone there so he can't be tracked that way either, and he's gone," said Don Evans, a former Lexington police detective.

Because Buckley was out of jail on bond, he was free to come and go during breaks in the trial. While the jury was deliberating, he left and never came back.

"A person who's been accused of a very serious crime, they're sitting through a trial, they're watching the evidence, they're getting a feel that they're going to be found guilty. Why would they come back?" said Evans.

Jail officials in Fayette County, Ky., report that Buckley went home after leaving the courthouse. They later found the ankle monitor on a road nearby.

Police are concerned Buckley may be headed to Colorado Springs because he has family in the area.

Buckley is considered dangerous. Not only does he have a violent history, but he has extensive combat training. Buckley is a former Army Ranger, who was among the first soldiers sent into Afghanistan after September 11. He also has weapons training.

Due to Buckley's background in combat, Lexington police have put some attorneys and officers under protection.

"It's not often that police have to try to protect their own from situations like this, but that's going on right here because they've got to get this guy in custody. It's dangerous for the police officers that are trying to catch him and it's dangerous for people out there that this guy's going to come in contact with," said Evans.

11 News spoke with Buckley's stepmother. She said she and her husband have no comment about Buckley's disappearance, though she believes it would be stupid for him to come to Colorado, according to WKYT.

If you see this man or know his whereabouts call police right away.