Vicki White, assistant director of the Lauderdale County Corrections, released inmate Casey White from prison Friday morning, saying she was taking the inmate to the district court.
The two, who officials say are not linked, have not been seen since, and the U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to $ 10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the prisoner and the whereabouts of the officer, the agency said Sunday.
Here’s what we know.
Vicki White said she was leading Casey White to a mental health assessment when he was released from prison. She said she would receive medical treatment after leaving the prisoner in the courtroom because she was not feeling well.
Authorities learned later that day that such an assessment – or a court hearing – was not scheduled for Casey White that day and that Vicki White never got to where she needed medical attention, according to Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick. Singleton.
That same afternoon, concerned prison officials tried to contact Vicki White, but her phone went straight to voicemail. Then they realized that Casey White had not been returned to prison.
Authorities are considering all options, including whether the correction officer helped Casey White escape.
“Knowing the prisoner, I think she is in danger, regardless of the circumstances,” Singleton said Friday.
“He was in prison for murder and had nothing to lose. Whether she helped him or not, we do not know and will not deal with it until we have absolute proof that it happened. We assume that she pointed out that she was taken against her will, unless we can prove otherwise. But regardless, even if she helped him, we think she is in danger, “Singleton said.
Vicki White’s 2013 Ford Taurus patrol car was spotted in a mall parking lot on Friday morning, according to the sheriff.
Singleton’s office has reviewed all security videos in the area where the car was spotted, but there is still no evidence to suggest that the two boarded another vehicle.
The officer opposed the policy
In her work as Assistant Director of Corrections, Vicki White coordinates all transportation from the detention center to the court, so she knew that the protocol provided for two sworn deputies to be with Casey White at all times, as he is a prisoner accused of deadly murder, according to Singleton.
“All precautions have been taken,” Singleton said. “The questions we have about Director White are why she has violated policy.
Vicki White is an “exemplary employee,” the sheriff said
The correction officer has been in the sheriff’s office for about two decades and “does a great job,” Singleton told CNN’s Fredrika Whitfield on Saturday morning.
“All of her colleagues, all of the sheriff’s office staff, the judges, all of them have the utmost respect for her,” Singleton said. “She has an impeccable record. She is an exemplary employee. So we are very concerned about her safety.”
Vicky White recently spoke about retirement, Singleton said Friday.
Casey White considered “armed and dangerous”
Casey White has been serving 75 years for a series of crimes he committed in Limestone County in 2015. The riots included home burglary, car theft and police harassment, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
In 2020, he confessed to killing a woman in 2015 in Rodgersville, Alabama, according to Lauderdale County Attorney Chris Connelly. White then pleaded not guilty to the crime and was held at the detention center pending trial.
The prisoner intended to escape and take a hostage in 2020, Singleton said, but his plan was revealed and a policy was introduced that required two sworn deputies to be with him at all times, including during transportation to court.
Because Vicki White had a 9mm pistol, authorities speculate that Casey White, who is 6 ‘9 “, is now armed and should be considered dangerous, Singleton said.
Prize offered
The US Marshals Service has taken over the case, the service said in a press release announcing a reward of up to $ 10,000. The Lauderdale County Sheriff and the FBI are also involved in the investigation, CNN reported.
“Casey White is considered a serious threat to the Corrections Officer and the public,” US Marshal Marty Keeley said in a statement.
“Anyone with information on White’s whereabouts or White’s disappearance as Assistant Director of Corrections is urged to contact law enforcement,” the statement said. “You can call the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102. Anonymous tips can also be sent through the US Marshals Tip App. “
“Don’t try to detain this fugitive,” Keeley said.
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