DALHART, TEXAS -- Update: David Ryan Smithers is still at large and is considered a fugitive.

The Dallam County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man it says fled the courthouse before his sentencing Tuesday morning.

David Ryan Smithers, according to authorities, was last seen running away from the Dallam County Courthouse at about 11:00 a.m., with a red shirt and tan shorts.

He is 6'0" and 160 pounds.

Smithers was to be sentenced for a DWI offense with endangerment to a child and was out on bond release of $30000.

Bail bondsman Kenneth "Slick" Countryman, of Best Bail Bonds, had brought Smithers to his sentencing and had surrendered him to the deputies.

"I had brought him," said Countryman "Then things got chaotic as they figured out he had run."

While the prosecutor and the bondsman were talking, Smithers had fled on foot.

"Smithers is not a bond jumper," said Countryman, "he was in custody with the deputies."

DWI with a child on board is a state felony punishable by a minimum sentence of 180 days and up to two years in state prison and/or fines up to $10,000.

The age of the child, prior DWI/DUI convictions, level of intoxication and other factors are weighed in determining the punishment.

Smithers of originally of Illinois, in 2009 also pleaded guilty to simple assault, giving false ID to law enforcement and theft of services. Charges of theft by deception, terroristic threats, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment were nolle processed.

Any information on Smithers' whereabouts can be directed to 911, dispatch at (806) 244-5544 or the Dallam County Sheriffs Office at (806) 244-2313.