The investigation highlighted what authorities consider a romantic relationship between Vicki White, Lauderdale County Assistant Director of Corrections, and Casey White, who was detained at Lauderdale County Jail on murder charges, Sheriff Rick Singleton told CNN.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Vicki White on charges of allowing or facilitating first-degree escape, the sheriff said Monday as authorities became increasingly confident that a police officer had helped the prisoner willingly escape instead of being forced or forced.
Vicky White, 56, and 38-year-old unrelated Casey White went missing Friday morning after she said she was taking the inmate to the courthouse before going to seek medical treatment because she was not feeling well. The two never arrived at the courthouse, and Vicki White was unable to reach the hospital.
According to the sheriff, the authorities believe that the prisoner and the policeman had a romantic relationship, which continued during Vicky White’s non-working hours. They traced the relationship back in 2020, when Casey White, who was already serving a prison sentence, was first taken to Lauderdale County on charges, Singleton said.
“As far as we know, this was the earliest physical contact they had,” Singleton said, noting that the couple continued to communicate after Casey White was transferred back to prison.
Singleton said the two had a “special relationship”, as confirmed in part by the inmates, who told investigators that Casey White was “getting extra food on her trays” and “getting privileges that no one else has, and that was everything coming from her. “
Investigators are now reviewing surveillance images from the detention center to learn more.
How the escape developed
A surveillance video released by the detention center on Tuesday showed Casey White, handcuffed and wearing an orange jumpsuit, escorted to the back of Vicki White’s patrol car on Friday morning.
From there, Singleton said, the couple headed to the mall in less than ten minutes, abandoned the patrol car and boarded a 2007 gold / copper Ford Edge SUV.
Vicki White bought the car in the town of Rodgersville, about 25 miles east of Lauderdale County, and parked it the night before they disappeared, Singleton said.
“We know there was never any effort to go to the courthouse. They went straight to the Florence Square car park, abandoned the patrol car, got in the other vehicle and left,” Singleton said.
“We assume that they will give up this car as soon as possible when they find out that the description is there, so we return to the starting position,” he added.
Investigators also offered more details about Casey White’s story at the Lauderdale County facility.
While he was detained there in 2020 on charges of murder in connection with the death of 58-year-old Connie Ridgeway in 2015, authorities discovered that he had a plan to escape and take hostage and had a makeshift knife on him.
Following the discovery, Casey White was transferred back to state prison, where he is already serving a 75-year sentence for a number of crimes in 2015.
The prison had a policy of requiring two sworn deputies to accompany prisoners at all times, including during transportation to the courthouse – but “we emphasized this policy with him” after the escape plot was uncovered, Singleton said.
Casey White returned to Lauderdale County Detention Center in February to attend a trial for her murder.
On Friday morning, Vicki White ordered Casey White to be prepared for transport, telling the reservation clerk that since other officers had already gone to court and she was the only officer available with a certified firearm, she would take him to court on her own. said the sheriff.
“As head of transport management, she simply informed the reservation officer that she would take him to court and leave him, which was a gross violation of policy. But I’m sure because it was her boss, the Reservation Officer didn’t question him, “Singleton said.
The sheriff described Casey White as an “extremely dangerous man” and warned people not to approach him if they saw him, and to call police instead.
Authorities believe Casey White was armed because Vicki White was armed. The U.S. Marshals Office warned on Tuesday that they may have an AR-15 rifle and a shotgun.
“I’m so disappointed in her,” says DA
Vicki White sold her home about a month ago and had to retire on Friday after nearly two decades in the department, Singleton said, adding that documents for her pension fund had not been processed.
The disappearance and emerging details of the woman, described as a “model employee” with a “spotless file”, left her family and colleagues in a state of disbelief.
Lauderdale County Attorney Chris Connelly spoke to her for the last time the day before she disappeared and said he was “absolutely stunned” to learn about the situation, describing the officer as “the strongest man in prison.”
“I’m so disappointed in her,” he said. She was trusted and she takes advantage of that trust.
Vicki White’s mother, with whom she has lived for the past five weeks after selling her home, said she had never heard of her daughter mentioning Casey White and was shocked to learn that she had disappeared with an accused killer.
“As a mother, I didn’t know what to do because at first I thought it was a mistake. And then, when I knew for sure it was, it was just mistrust, “Pat Davis told CNN WAAY.
The Marshals Office is offering a reward of up to $ 10,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of the escaped prisoner and up to $ 5,000 for the missing officer.
Jade Gordon, Jamie Lynch, Ryan Young, Jade Tim-Garcia, Kelly McCleary and Chuck Johnston of CNN contributed to this report.
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