WASHINGTON (AFP) – United States (US) law enforcement was searching on Monday for an Alabama murder suspect and a female corrections officer who authorities said participated in his escape, warning that both individuals were extremely dangerous.
Early last Friday, inmate Casey White and officer Vicky White – who are not related – both left the Lauderdale County Jail where he was being held to face murder charges.
Vicky White told colleagues they were headed to court for a psychological evaluation. They never arrived, and suspicion grew that the two had committed an escape.
On Monday, Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton told reporters that an arrest warrant had been issued for Vicky White “for permitting or facilitating an escape” of an inmate.
He said Casey White, 38, was “handcuffed and shackled” in a squad car, and that the corrections officer convinced colleagues she was the only firearm-certified officer available to transport White.
Singleton said there was “absolutely” a possibility the two were romantically-linked.
“We know she participated” in the escape, Singleton said of officer White. “Whether she did that willingly, or if she was coerced or threatened somehow to participate in this escape, not really sure.”
