Published Thursday, May 15, 2008

Sheriff examines procedures following escape

By Winston Skinner

The Times-Herald

Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager and his staff are re-evaluating procedures after an inmate escaped from a sheriff's office van on Monday.

"We're going to reexamine our procedures and make sure it doesn't happen again," Yeager said. Antonio Michael Herring was on the lam for about an hour Monday afternoon after he exited the van near the intersection of Greison Trail and East Broad Street. Herring and six other inmates had been taken to the Coweta County Justice Center for court that morning.

Herring has been indicted for armed robbery, forgery and theft by receiving. The presiding judge delayed Herring's cases until May 22, Assistant District Attorney Ray Mayer said.

Herring and the other six inmates were being returned to the jail in a van.

"This van -- it has windows. On the windows is wire to keep someone from getting through the window," Yeager said.

There was, however, space between the wire and van for a person to slip a hand through "if someone's hands and arms were small enough," Yeager said. Herring's hands and arms were small enough.

Herring had been transported in the van several times and apparently had observed the situation. As the van approached the intersection, Herring "contorted his arm and opened the door and bailed out," Yeager said.

The situation for Herring was not, however, promising. He was garbed in a red jumpsuit.

"He was handcuffed in the front and had leg chains on," Yeager said. The escapee was observed "sort of hopping -- jumping across the road," according to the sheriff.

The deputy transporting the inmates had to secure the five remaining inmates. Other deputies were called to the scene, along with officers from the Newnan Police Department and the Georgia Department of Corrections. A helicopter and a bloodhound were used in the search for Herring.

Herring went to the residence of an acquaintance at the nearby Summit Point Apartments. He apparently knocked on the door and went in -- saying, "I need help" -- when the door was opened.

Yeager said Herring used scissors in the apartment to cut off his jumpsuit and to cut a pair of pants so they would fit over his leg chains.

Someone at the apartment complex contacted authorities. Herring was back in custody "in less than an hour," the sheriff said.

"Since that time, we have taken precautions," Yeager said. The problem with the space between the wire and the windows has been rectified.

The sheriff expressed thanks to the NPD and the DOC for helping with the search. "It was a team effort," Yeager said.

He also stated he was glad no one was harmed as a result of the escape. He said the incident served as a reminder to not become complacent.

"I really feel at this particular time that we let our guard down," he said. "We are working with our personnel in that area."

The department will be "making any changes we need to," Yeager said. "We have to do a better job of staying on top of everything. We have to make sure we're staying on top of our game."

In addition to his previous charges, Herring now also faces trial for felony escape. He has four previous felony convictions, Mayer said.