CHARLES CITY - Charles Gallmeyer, 55, a material witness in the murder of Jesse Patchin, was apprehended Thursday after eluding authorities, Floyd County Attorney Marilyn Dettmer announced.

Gallmeyer was previously arrested on Oct. 31, 2005, following the stabbing death of Patchin, 20. The Waterloo man's body was found in a wooded area near Greene on Jan. 20.

Prosecutors had entered into a plea agreement with Gallmeyer in which he would provide evidence at the trial of James Dean Raymond, his nephew, who has been charged with Patchin's murder.

As part of the plea agreement, Gallmeyer was released from custody under supervision of the Department of Correctional Services on Jan. 20, 2006.

Gallmeyer reportedly absconded from supervision and had been sought by authorities for several weeks. The Federal Fugitive Task Force was investigating his whereabouts.

He was arrested at approximately 2:45 p.m. at the residence of his brother, Dave Gallmeyer, 1078 150th St., in Plainfield.

During the arrest, authorities noted the presence of illegal drugs in plain view. Dave Gallmeyer and Larry Raymond were removed from the residence and the Bremer County Sheriff's Department applied for a search warrant.

Charles Gallmeyer was taken into custody and transported to the Floyd County Jail.