NC: Jailer fired after being charged with allowing inmate to escape

Durham Herald-Sun (Durham, NC) ^ | June 19, 2002 11:28 am | The Associated Press

[Constitution Day]

Jailer fired after being charged with allowing inmate to escape

The Associated Press
June 19, 2002   11:28 am

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. -- A Northampton County jailer charged with accepting a bribe to allow an inmate to escape has been fired, Sheriff Wardie Vincent said Wednesday.

Keith Williams lost his job just after investigators determined he had accepted a $20,000 check to help Darnell Mason, 34, escape from prison. The check turned out to be worthless.

Investigators also found $500 in cash on Williams when they arrested him. He denied the money came from Mason.

Mason, a former Gaston police officer, was still being sought Wednesday. He had been serving a 12-month sentence for felony convictions on extortion and obtaining property by false pretenses.

Williams, a six-year veteran of the Northampton sheriff's department, is charged with conspiracy to receive bribery from an inmate, aiding and abetting felony escape of an inmate and conspiracy to commit escape. He was in the Northampton County jail with bond set at $50,000.

Mason escaped after he and Williams left the Northampton County jail about 9 a.m. Tuesday. Mason had complained of a urinary tract infection, and Williams was supposed to drive him to Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount, Vincent said. Such trips are routine, he said.

Mason was secured with leg shackles and handcuffs and was wearing an orange jumpsuit. All were later found in a trash bin at a convenience store where investigators said Williams released Mason.

Williams filed a report that said three men in dark suits riding a sport-utility vehicle forced him at gunpoint to release Mason.

Mason worked as a part-time Gaston officer for three months before he was fired in December 1998 after some residents complained he was trying to scam them.

Williams had been promoted to sergeant and transportation officer two months ago. Vincent and Jail Administrator M.E. Drew both said there were no visible signs that Williams' attitude or job performance had changed.

"He had been doing a good job for us," Vincent said. "It's not something I could see coming."

The escape was the second in a little more than a week for a Northampton inmate and the fifth this year.

Vincent said he will review the staff, jail procedures and structural problems within the jail.

"We'll be sitting down and looking at the total picture as far as security," he said.

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[Constitution Day]

Keith Williams, a Northampton County jailer, is on the other side of the law after he let Darnell Mason escape in exchange for a $20,000 check.

Darnell Mason was serving 10 to 12 months in the Northampton County jail. Officials said he agreed to give the jailer $521 in cash and a $20,000 check to allow him to escape.

[Constitution Day]

File under "idiot"!

[jlogajan]

I bet he gets excited when he gets the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes mailers telling him he may already have won.

[camle]

a CHECK???? such a moron shouldn't be in such a position anyway.

[cardinal4]

Homer Simpson: Local Boob.

[Phantom Lord]

If Keith Williams had only been working for The Good Sheriff John Baker in Wake County he wouldnt be in trouble for such actions.

Sheriff Baker would have reassigned him to an office position for a period of time while they investigate the root causes of what caused Mr. Williams to engage in such activity.

[callisto]

Who in their right mind would think that a jailed inmate's check would be good for $20,000 in the first place? Thanks for the ping, CD. I needed a good laugh this morning.

[Erasmus]

The basic reason that there are so many escapes is that some prisoners are smarter than their jailers.

[wimpycat]

A check for $20,000? Suuuuuuuure, I can write you a check for $20,000, nooooo problem.

You big dummy!

[Constitution Day]

Who in their right mind would think that a jailed inmate's check would be good for $20,000 in the first place?

Someone whose IQ was equal to or below room temperature!

Thanks for the ping, CD. I needed a good laugh this morning.

I figured someone would!
Mrs. CD & I laughed out loud when we saw this on WRAL this morning.

[Constitution Day]

You big dummy!

Reminds me of Fred Sanford... :)

[callisto]

I almost fell out of my computer chair upon realizing what this idiot had done. Just too funny!

This is off topic, but how do you like the new changes? I love the "Review" page and posted on the state board about it for those, like you, who Freep from work and sometimes only have time for a cursory glance at the headlines.

[Constitution Day]

Sheriff Baker would have reassigned him to an office position for a period of time while they investigate the root causes of what caused Mr. Williams to engage in such activity.

LOL, but probably close to the truth. :(

[robertpaulsen]

Kinda reminds me of the one where three guys owe the deceased $1000 each. At the funeral, the first two place their money in the casket, and the third, a lawyer, takes the cash and leaves a check for $3000.

[Constitution Day]

I love the "Review" page and posted on the state board about it for those, like you, who Freep from work and sometimes only have time for a cursory glance at the headlines.

Wow! I just checked it out and that is too cool!
This annoying "work" has been cutting into my Freep time, so the Review page will help TREMENDOUSLY.

Thanks, John!

[Constitution Day]

LOL!

[callisto]

This annoying "work" has been cutting into my Freep time

So true. I'm about to join your ranks, so I definitely think it's an awesome page. I expect it will receive much use by everyone.

[wimpycat]

LOL! I haven't thought of Fred Sanford for years, but you're right.

[Constitution Day]

LOL! I haven't thought of Fred Sanford for years, but you're right.

Every time I hear that phrase, I think of a certain incident (which I witnessed) concerning the guy who played Lamont.
I'll probably Freepmail it to you.

Good night!
CD