A Forward Township man finds himself back in trouble with the law after allowing his electronic ankle bracelet to go dead.

Butler County detectives last week filed a felony escape charge against Rock Joseph Springer, 28, for not recharging the bracelet, which is used to monitor the whereabouts of defendants sentenced to house arrest.

The Butler County Adult Probation Office on July 8 had lost the signals for Springer's bracelet and had not heard from the defendant, according to court documents.

Authorities learned he had recently been evicted from a Butler home that is somewhat akin to a half-way house for defendants on house arrest.

Probation officers checked Springer's former room at the house and found two spoons with a white powder, which was tested and found to be heroin, said Detective Pat Cannon.

He noted authorities got the test results back Friday, when they charged Springer in the case,

Some 32 hours following his eviction, the defendant turned himself in to Butler police. Authorities determined Springer has not recharged his electronic transmitter for two days.

Cannon said defendants are required to recharge their ankle bracelet transmitters every day. The process takes about two hours.

Springer, in addition to escape, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

He is being held in the Butler County Prison for violating his probation.