The Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Office is combing the area for James “Ellis” Russell, an inmate who escaped through a steel door and over a barbed wire fence at the Bledsoe County Jail early Monday morning.
Paula Peters, Bledsoe County Jail Administrator, said officials believe Mr. Russell jimmied the lock of the steel door in his cell, which opened out to a fenced area outdoors. They believe Mr. Russell somehow got over the razor wire covering the top of the fence.
This is the second time Mr. Russell has slipped out of official’s hands – Ms. Peters said he escaped from the Bledsoe County Courthouse two weeks ago when he first learned he’d be arrested for missing a court date regarding domestic assault charges.
He had been caught and hit with felony escape charges before yesterday’s escape. He has now racked up two counts of felony escape charges along with his original two counts of domestic assault. If anyone has information about Mr. Russell, they can reach the Bledsoe Sheriff’s Office at 423-447-2197