SHERMAN, Tex. -- After nearly three weeks on the run, the man who fled a Sherman courtroom minutes after being found guilty of sexual assault of a child is now back in custody, thanks to United States Marshals and a number of other agencies.

Preston Dewayne Hightower fled the Grayson County Justice Center back on July 25 after being found guilty on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Authorities say after the verdict, jurors went to deliberate Hightower's sentence, and Hightower asked Judge Rim Nall if he could go outside to smoke. With the help of family and friends, Hightower left, and was gone for three weeks.

Hightower was finally found and arrested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at a roofing job site Thursday morning.

Authorities were led from Texas to Oklahoma to Arkansas in search of Hightower, and finally to South Dakota, where he was apprehended.

"We all feel relieved that a person that is charged with this amount of crime & found guilty & this type of crime is off the streets. You always worry about others victims that may come along while he's running," U.S. Marshal Deputy Kenney Abel said.

Officials say a number of Hightower’s friends and family members provided information that ultimately led to his capture. His sister, mother, nephew, and ex-girlfriend were all arrested on charges they helped Hightower elude authorities for three weeks. Authorities also say more arrests could be made.

"We want people to know that if your going to hide and help people escape, you are going to be responsible too for that criminal activity," Grayson County district attorney Joe Brown said.

Hightower has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Currently he is in a South Dakota jail but he will be transferred to the Grayson County Jail after authorities extradite him.

Hightower was scheduled to air on America's Most Wanted on Saturday night.