WV.gov
Text size A  A  A
Report: Gov. Justice appoints Mark Sorsaia as Secretary of Dept. of Homeland Security

Wood inmate recaptured after brief escape

1/3/2019

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. 

# # #

LAWRENCE MESSINA (304) 558-2930 Lawrence.C.Messina@wv.gov