Five indicted in jail escape

Grand jurors also report on Garrett lockup
From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Sun Mar 13, 2011, 08:00 AM EDT

— OAKLAND — Five people who allegedly aided in the escape of Deandre Kelly from the Garrett County Jail in January were indicted by a Garrett County grand jury, according to State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch.

Chiquita Annette Richardson, 27, Alexandria, Va.; Eric Mandrell Nibbins, 26, Alexandria, Va.; Richard Demoan Hall, Jr., 26, Frederick; Dionte Pierre Coley, 29, Cumberland; and Robert Leslie Marshall 27, College Park, were each charged with conspiracy to commit escape, escape, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony/crime of violence.

The five appeared before Judge Jim Sherbin for arraignment. Each entered pleas of not guilty and bond was set at $500,000 for each defendant.

Two additional related indictments were served with summonses, as those defendants had already posted bond when they were originally arrested on warrants issued by a district court commissioner. Amanda Sue Lambert, 23, Cumberland and Jamal Antonie Kelly, 25, College Park are charged with the same seven counts.

Warrants and indictments remain outstanding for two additional people in connection with the escape, with one of those being Kelly, Welch said.

Also indicted was Timothy Daniel Wilt, 46, Kitzmiller. Wilt had previously been charged with arson and arson/fraud following an investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal into the fire at Wilt’s residence in May 2010.

Welch said the state has determined that Wilt should be prosecuted for an insurance fraud violation. He was arraigned by Sherbin, who set his bond at $10,000.

Grand jurors also considered other issues relating to county government operations, including:

Jail

The jurors found some dangers at the county jail, which was housing 55 inmates at the time of the report.

The two full-time and one part-time cooks are put in danger because of the location of the small kitchen.

Sheriff Rob Corley explained that the hallway deputies use to escort inmates to and from their cells passes the open entrance to the kitchen.

The jurors also pointed out what they believed to be extreme danger to sheriff’s staff as well as health care professionals who come to the facility.

“... there are areas with no cameras inside or outside,” they wrote.

“Grand jury members have great concerns about the facility, particularly as it affects the safety of the staff. The grand jury recommends that the county commissioners prioritize a new jail project through state funding sources and/or through county budget,” it was stated in the report.

Maximum inmate capacity is 65 males and 12 females. The most inmates at any one time was 93, requiring use of the juvenile holding area.

Corley said Thursday that Deandre Kelly, who escaped from the jail in January after being arrested on drug, weapons and traffic charges, remains at large.

Seven of nine of Kelly’s associates taken into custody at that time are still jailed, including one in the Allegany County Detention Center, according to Corley.

The jail staff consists of 21 full-time and three part-time employees.

Emergency Management

Jurors learned that calls from land lines and some cell phones that are made to the 911 center are displayed on a screen and that the ability exists to track cell phones that are on the move.

A new software program on the way, called WAGON, will allow dispatchers to hook emergency calls to other stations and mobile communication devices in the state’s three western counties.

This summer, dispatching in the sheriff’s office and the 911 center will be consolidated.

The county’s emergency management agency employs eight dispatchers, seven emergency medical service providers and one emergency planner.

Sheriff’s Office

Corley informed the jurors that his office will soon have four K-9 units.

Recently, a K-9 handler from Preston County, W.Va., was hired. Another deputy is scheduled to receive handler training this spring. Funds to replace an ill 13-year-old police dog will come from money seized from drug violators.

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