A multi-agency manhunt continues after four inmates escaped from the Perry County Correctional PREP Center early Saturday morning, though authorities say two of the escapees are now back in custody.
According to the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, the inmates escaped from the facility in Uniontown around 1 a.m. Saturday. The escapees were identified as Jaden Christopher Maxwell, Johnny Dave Harris Bush Jr., Kevin Gunn, and Marquavious Billingsley.
The inmates, all from Dallas County, were housed at the Perry County Correctional PREP Center in Uniontown under an agreement with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities said the men were being held on various charges that included murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, first-degree escape, breaking and entering vehicles, and promoting prison contraband.
Investigators later said the inmates allegedly escaped after staging a medical emergency inside the facility.
According to ABC 33/40, one inmate pretended to need medical attention between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Dallas County Sheriff Granthum said the inmates pushed past officers and scaled multiple fences before fleeing to a waiting vehicle.
Authorities said surveillance cameras captured the inmates leaving the facility with transportation waiting nearby.
Authorities later identified Keivena Lewis as the alleged getaway driver. She was taken into custody within hours of the escape and charged with aiding and abetting the escape, hindering prosecution, and obstructing government operations.
The investigation took a significant turn Sunday afternoon when Midfield police arrested Bush during a traffic stop.
According to the Midfield Police Department, officers patrolling the 600 block of Bessemer Super Highway shortly after 4:30 p.m. Sunday received a Flock license plate recognition alert on a stolen vehicle. Police said the vehicle, a 2012 Acura reported stolen from Selma, was being driven by Bush, who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service in connection with the Perry County escape.
Bush was taken into custody without incident and charged with receiving stolen property. Authorities said he is being held at the Jefferson County Jail pending extradition to Perry County.
In a Monday update, 4th Judicial District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. announced that Maxwell also was back in custody after surrendering late Sunday evening.
Turner said Maxwell’s family and members of the community helped arrange a peaceful surrender.
As of Monday, authorities said Billingsley and Gunn remain at large.
“The safety of Perry County residents is the top priority,” Perry County Sheriff Roy Fikes said in an earlier release, adding that deputies and assisting agencies remain actively engaged in locating and apprehending the remaining escapees.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the remaining inmates to contact local law enforcement or call 911. Officials also warned the public not to approach or attempt to apprehend the escapees.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
