Inmate escapes a second time
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Crenshaw County inmate has escaped from the jail for the second time since July.
Jeremy Baggett, 28, escaped around 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Investigator Ronnie White.
“It appears that when he went to take a shower Tuesday night, he jammed some paper in the door lock to his cell, then waited through the night,” White said. “In the morning while the work release prisoners were going out, it looks like he waited until no one was present and then escaped.”
Baggett, 28, was originally serving time for third degree burglary and third degree criminal mischief, both misdemeanors. He was arrested for those charges on June 15, 2009. After his July 24 escape, a first-degree escape charge was added, which is a felony.
Baggett, whose last known address was Spivey Street in Luverne, is originally from Glenwood.
K-9 units and a helicopter were called in early Wednesday morning during the search, where the dogs found Baggett’s trail leading to the Patsaliga River, but that’s where the trail ended.
“This was an error on the part of the jailers,” Sheriff Charles West said. “Proper procedures were not followed. This is being looked into, and proper disciplinary actions will be taken on the ones responsible. This will be corrected so that it won’t happen again.”
Members of the Luverne Police Department, Alabama State Troopers, the Department of Corrections, Enterprise/Coffee County helicopter and a Dale County helicopter also assisted the county deputies with the search.
“We appreciate everyone who has helped us with this search,” West said.
At press time, Baggett still had not been located, but was believed to still be near the Patsaliga River.
If you have any information about Jeremy Baggett’s whereabouts, contact the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office at 335-6568.