Published: October 28, 2009 08:31 am      

Escapee caught in Alabama

PICAYUNE — The inmate who walked away from his job post at the Pearl River County jail was found the next day in Alabama.

A press release from the U.S. Marshals Service states that escaped convict Waylon Strickland was found Monday evening at an Alabama motel, a day after his escape Sunday evening.

Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said he is pleased to hear that Strickland is back in custody and is thankful for the hard work of the U.S. Marshals and the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

“They made quick work of him. I was glad to see that,” Tucker said.

Strickland, 31, was convicted on drug charges in Greene County and was serving a three-year sentence as a trustee at the Millard area jail. Sunday evening he left his job post at the mechanic’s shop, which is not gated.

Tucker said with the escape on his record, Strickland will no longer be able to qualify for joint county work status, which enabled him to be a trustee and thereby work at the mechanic’s shop.

An investigation into Strickland’s whereabouts by the U.S. Marshals began with an initial report that he might have fled to Montgomery, Ala., where he had lived in the past, the release states. He was later found in Alexander City, Ala., at a motel. He was arrested at about 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Strickland now will face the charge of felony escape when he is returned to Mississippi. A release from the MDOC stated that if Strickland is convicted of the charge, he could face an additional five years in prison.