LaQuinta Decree Mitchell
LaQuinta Decree Mitchell, 29, of Anniston, escaped from the jail around 5 p.m. Tuesday while awaiting booking, according to Sheriff Larry Amerson.
Amerson said Mitchell was being processed in a booking room when he joined a group of six inmates who were being booked out of the jail at the same time. An officer overseeing the booking recognized what had happened “within minutes,” according to the sheriff.
Amerson said Mitchell escaped on foot and headed south.
“The escape was the result of a failure to follow our own process,” Amerson said. “We have the appropriate procedure in place. This was human error.”
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, officials still hadn’t located Mitchell. Amerson said 15 people were searching the area for Mitchell and included county deputies, U.S. Marshals and members of the Gulf Coast Regional Task Force.
Amerson said the incident will be reviewed, but said he takes responsibility for the escape.
Mitchell had been arrested by Anniston police and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. There is now a warrant for his arrest on an escape charge.
Amerson said anyone with information about Mitchell’s escape should contact Calhoun County Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414.
Staff Writer Brian Anderson: 256-235-3546. On Twitter @BAnderson_Star.
