LUMBERTON — A man charged with multiple killings related to an East Coast drug trafficking network was free Saturday after escaping from a jail where he was awaiting trial on federal charges.

U.S. Marshalssaid the 27-year-old often uses the alias Mark Williams. He is accused of three North Carolina murders, one in Virginia and a fifth in New York. One of his victims was a 14-year-old boy, who was shot execution style, officials said.

He was considered extremely dangerous and was thought to be hiding in the Raleigh area.

"He's realizing the amount of time he's facing, which is essentially life in prison. He doesn't want to go back, obviously," said Bill Butler of the marshals service. "I think he's very desperate. I think he'll do probably pretty much anything to stay out."

Deputies say the escapee's real name is Michael Nembhard. They say he has been involved in the drug trade from New York to Miami.

Williams is also a suspect in three murders in the Raleigh area. Anyone who sees him should call 911.

Last summer, Williams was listed as one of the U.S. Marshals 15 most wanted criminals.