OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Some officers may be disciplined at the Osceola County jail starting Tuesday following an escape a week and a half ago. After that escape, WFTV found out jail guards almost released two other inmates by mistake.
Jail Chief Gregory Futch told WFTV problems were brewing with two of his top people before the escape. WFTV learned that when escaped inmate Michael Rigby dug his way out and no one at the jail noticed.
The Osceola County jail's captain over security, Stacy Gaines, and captain over operations, Mark Stroop, decided to ask for demotions rather than wait for it to happen to them.
Captain Gaines, who supervises the guards who were supposed to watch maximum security inmates like escapee Michael Rigby, asked for his demotion to lieutenant last Friday, saying he needs additional executive level training.
WFTV also learned that Rigby and his cellmate fashioned their own tools and went unnoticed digging their way out for two weeks. Rigby's cellmate had been disciplined at the jail for trying to dig his way out before and has since been moved to another jail. Rigby is still on the loose.
Two guards and a supervisor were to do thorough cell searches twice a day. Under Operations Captain Mark Stroop's watch just days after the escape, two inmates being held on federal drug charges were almost accidentally released.
A jail guard has been suspended in connection with one of the cases. The close calls happened last Wednesday and Thursday. And, on Thursday, Captain Stroop asked for a demotion based on personal needs.
Chief Futch plans to take his recommendations for discipline to the county manager Tuesday. As many as 12 people who work there could be disciplined. They won't include the newly-demoted captains Stacy Gaines and Mark Stroop.
The Osceola County jail has had problems for months with jail guards and inmates. Before the most recent escape, a corrections officer was arrested for her hand in a violent escape plot foiled by other guards.
A second guard was caught delivering illegal drugs to inmates. The jail also mistakenly released one inmate accused of brutally attacking a woman and another inmate was caught having sex on supervised work-release at Animal Control.
WFTV
