ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County sheriff’s K-9 found a work-release prisoner Thursday who had escaped custody.
The inmate escaped in the area of State Road 50 and County Road 13 earlier in the day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
The prisoner was identified as Michael Raymond Lavallee Jr., 33.
"I had no idea there was an escaped inmate. So now I have to keep my kids in the house and watch out and make sure what's going on out here," said Bithlo resident Timothy Gross.
Lavallee, who had been booked at the Orange County Jail on Oct. 26, was being held on misdemeanor charges, but will now likely face additional felony escape charges, authorities said.
The sheriff’s office said Lavallee was part of a four-man road crew which was supervised by correctional officers.
A news release said that “inmates are carefully screened prior to being assigned to road crew details and those who qualify cannot have a history of violence, among other serious charges.”
According to authorities, Lavallee said he was trying to get home to see his family for Christmas because they lived nearby.