An escaped Mississippi inmate and prison employee have been taken into custody.
Authorities report that inmate Ryan Burks, 39, managed to escape from the Carroll County Regional Correctional Facility on Wednesday. Once Burks’ absence was noticed, the jail promptly went on lockdown. It was soon discovered that a kitchen employee, identified as Leslie McNeal, 44, was also missing.
McNeal had reportedly vacated the facility with Burks in her vehicle. The kitchen staffer’s car was later seen in Lafayette County. Oxford police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not stop.
The car ultimately crashed and both occupants were handcuffed. Burks, who was serving a 30-year sentence for sexual battery and burglary, now faces additional charges of felony fleeing and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He has been turned over to the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
McNeal was initially transported to a local hospital for treatment after the wreck but was discharged and transported to the Lafayette County Jail. She is charged with felony aiding and abetting.
