Bruce Callahan, the second of two Virginia inmates who escaped from Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville on April 30, was recaptured on Monday near the city where he had been jailed. His fellow inmate, Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo, was arrested in Mexico last week, according to the FBI.
Callahan’s Escape and Recapture
Callahan, 44, escaped from Piedmont Regional Jail through an unsecured door around 11:15 p.m. on April 30. He put a T-shirt over the barbed wire when he scaled the fence, according to an affidavit associated with a federal escape charge. Jail officials discovered the escape and realized that Marin-Sotelo was also missing the next day. Callahan was last seen wearing only blue prison shorts, and he had arranged for $5,000 to be paid to several people to pick him up. Callahan walked onto the property of an apartment complex managed by Longwood University in Farmville around 5:30 a.m. on Monday, and he pulled a fire alarm. He was injured and surrendered to university police and asked for medical help, according to the university.
Marin-Sotelo’s Arrest in Mexico
Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo was arrested in Mexico last week, according to the FBI. The details of his arrest were not immediately clear. The FBI had announced last week that he had been taken into custody in Mexico, but did not provide additional information. Marin-Sotelo was charged with abduction with intent to defile, malicious wounding, and breaking and entering, among other charges, in Prince William County, Virginia, before his escape from jail.
The Jail’s Response
Jail superintendent Jerry Townsend has said that both inmates manipulated the locking mechanism on the rear exit door. He did not provide further details about the jail’s security measures or how the inmates were able to escape. Townsend has promised an investigation into the matter.
Callahan’s Charges
Callahan was being held at the jail after he was indicted on fentanyl-related charges in 2021, according to court records. He has pleaded not guilty.
The recapture of Callahan brings an end to the manhunt for the two escaped inmates, who were considered dangerous. While Callahan was injured during his escape, it is not clear how he sustained those injuries. The investigation into the escape and the jail’s security measures is ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who are Bruce Callahan and Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo?
Bruce Callahan and Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo are two inmates who escaped from Piedmont Regional Jail in Farmville, Virginia on April 30, 2022. Callahan was being held at the jail after being indicted on fentanyl-related charges in 2021, while Marin-Sotelo was being held on immigration charges. -
How was Bruce Callahan recaptured?
Bruce Callahan was recaptured on May 9, 2022, near the city of Farmville, Virginia. He walked onto the property of an apartment complex managed by Longwood University and pulled a fire alarm. He was injured and surrendered to university police, asking for medical help. -
Where is Piedmont Regional Jail located?
Piedmont Regional Jail is located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. -
What charges were Bruce Callahan indicted on in 2021?
Bruce Callahan was indicted on fentanyl-related charges in 2021, according to court records. However, he has pleaded not guilty to these charges.