Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Services personnel found on Saturday at 5:30 a.m. that four inmates in a minimum security housing unit at the Silverdale Detention Center were missing during headcount. All four were back in custody by late Saturday.
The facility was immediately placed on lockdown and an investigation revealed the inmates breached an exterior door and scaled the perimeter barbed wire fence.
Within the first few hours of this investigation, two of the four inmates were captured by HCSO personnel at a local motel off McCutcheon Road.
Johnny Bryant was charged with burglary, resisting arrest or obstruction, evading arrest, possession of drug, paraphernalia, and felony escape.
William Atkins was charged with resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine for resale, possession of methamphetamine for resale, theft of property, and felony escape.
The search continued for Justin Lynn Conner and Trevor Lynn Hall. Conner was eventually taken into custody in Soddy Daisy by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office personnel. Hall was taken into custody in Jackson County in Middle Tennessee by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with HCSO fugitive personnel.
“Within 24 hours of the reported escape, all four inmates were taken back into custody due to the exhaustive and extensive investigation conducted by HCSO personnel and our federal and local partners. I am extremely proud of the efforts of our personnel who have worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure the swift apprehension of these four wanted fugitives was accomplished,” stated Chief Deputy Austin Garrett.
The circumstances of the escape remain an ongoing criminal investigation.
The search operation included Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Uniformed Services personnel along with all of our specialized teams including Investigative Services, K-9, Fugitive, SWAT, Patrol, Narcotics, Corrections Security, and Crime Intelligence. In addition to the HCSO personnel, the search efforts were also assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals, and the Chattanooga Police Department.
Conner has charges from the UTC Police Department, HCSO, Chattanooga Police Department, Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Soddy Daisy Police Department. His charges are as follows:
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
· Possession of Methamphetamine for Resale/Manufacturing
· Use of Stolen Plates
· Theft of Property
· Criminal Impersonation
· Theft of Property over $2,500
· Driving on Revoked/Suspended License (x3)
· Misdemeanor Evading
· Window Tint Violation
· Felony Escape
Hall has charges from the Soddy Daisy Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. His charges are as follows:
· Contraband in a Penal Institution
· Evading Arrest
· Theft of Property (Parole Violation)
· Felony Escape