Jan.
3, 2019
Wood
inmate recaptured after brief escape
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man is back in custody after briefly breaking out of the
Wood County Holding Facility on Wednesday.
Anthony Michael Douglas,
33, had been alone in the facility’s interview room while awaiting transfer
back to the North Central Regional Jail, following a court appearance.
Authorities believe he broke through drywall into a hallway, and then escaped
through a rear door at around 6:30 p.m.
The hole was discovered early
Thursday. Once an emergency headcount confirmed Douglas was missing, the
facility immediately alerted law enforcement at 9:24 a.m. A U.S. Marshals
Service fugitive task force, which included Department of Military Affairs and
Public Safety personnel, caught Douglas on Parkersburg’s south side around 10:40
a.m. Thursday. He is being charged with escape and felony destruction of
property.
DMAPS’ Division of
Corrections and Rehabilitation began leasing the facility in July 2018.
Preliminary information suggests a facility officer left the inmate unattended for
around four hours starting at around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, after he was
interviewed by a law enforcement officer.
Division Commissioner Betsy
Jividen said the incident is under internal review by its Inspector General
section, and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a parallel criminal
investigation. DMAPS Secretary Jeff Sandy said that once these are complete,
appropriate actions will occur.
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