Jury acquits prisoner in plot to break out of Newaygo County Jail

NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI – Just one of three federal prisoners accused of plotting to split out of the Newaygo County Jail was acquitted following a jury trial.

Victor Lamont Garcia was observed not responsible last week at trial in U.S. District Court in Kalamazoo.

Two many others – Timothy Mark Calicutt and Jaron Howard Morgan – before pleaded responsible to expenses and await sentencing. Federal prosecutors claimed the defendants, about the course of a thirty day period, created resources to get into a locked utility hatch, or attic, and open a hole in the ceiling of their mobile.

The federal govt contracts with Newaygo County to dwelling prisoners awaiting trial or sentencing.

The alleged plot started Sept. 28 and finished Oct. 24 when jail officers uncovered proof of a breakout.

Garcia experienced served an eight-yr prison sentence for getting a felon in possession of a firearm when he was arrested past slide for allegedly violating conditions of his supervised release.

Garcia’s legal professional argued that Calicutt coerced his client’s involvement – Garcia allegedly held up a blanket to conceal what others have been executing – just after a fight.

“Defendant Calicutt issued threats of physical harm to Defendant Garcia, coercing Defendant Garcia into assisting the other Defendants with their escape options,” Lansing lawyer Brendon Basiga wrote in a trial quick.

Connected: Federal prisoners foiled in alleged breakout try at Newaygo County Jail

A federal prosecutor said the defendants tried out to escape by chopping holes in ventilation ducts and an exterior brick wall.

The hard work finished Oct. 24 when a sheriff’s deputy listened to tapping in close proximity to a mobile.

Yet another deputy appeared at security online video that confirmed Garcia holding a blanket on the upper mezzanine even though an inmate climbed down from a gap in the ceiling, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth wrote in a trial short.

Investigators recovered quite a few improvised tools.

“There was intensive damage to the duct work previously mentioned the ceiling, and a gap had been cut in the brick wall, exposing rebar inside,” Roth wrote. “The other aspect of that wall was a roof spot, outside the jail.”

Calicutt, Morgan and prisoners in condition custody went into the ceiling as a result of a hatch or a gap. A lot of occasions, Garcia held up a blanket to obstruct the camera’s check out, the prosecutor mentioned.

Calicutt and Morgan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to escape custody. Morgan also pleaded guilty to attempted escape from custody and aiding and abetting. The two prices have penalties of up to 5 yrs in jail.

Garcia was cleared of the two costs.

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