OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Seventeen corrections officers have been put on paid leave from the Osceola County jail because of a jail break.
WFTV reported how Michael Rigby tunneled out of his jail cell last month. He was the first of two escapes from that jail, first Rigby in February and then Carlos Rosa this week.
The jail is taking precautions to keep inmates inside, like manning towers for unusual activity. Now, the shortcomings of 17 guards have landed them in trouble, including seven supervisors.
READ: Details Of Osceola County Jail Plan DOCUMENT: Michael Rigby Investigative Supplement
Seventeen guards at the Osceola County jail have been suspended in the wake of an escape last month. The county said in a written statement all 17 will continue to get paid and that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken when an investigation into each of the guards is finished.
One of the suspended guards is a sergeant, six are corporals and ten are officers.
Trouble at the jail began a month ago when attempted murder suspect Michael Rigby broke free. He hasn't been seen since. Then, earlier this week, inmate Carlos Rosa escaped, but was captured several hours later.
Osceola commissioners allocated $4 million for jail upgrades, including new towers and extra lighting. Security in and around the facility has been beefed up as well.
It's unclear what the fate of the jail director will be. It's also unknown if replacement officers will be brought in to help fill the void the suspensions will leave or if overtime will be paid to officers who pull double duty.
The 17 guards suspended were identified as Sgt. Eugene Kelly, Cpl. Stephanie Carbajal, Cpl. Jamie Chambers, Officer Miller Chavous, Officer Dominique Fousse, Officer Jarrod Lowe, Officer Ray Oliver, Officer Carlos Ramirez, Officer Bradley Larson, Officer Mark Ruiz, Cpl. Tiesha Tomlinson, Cpl. Mark Goldsmith, Cpl. Angelo Thomas, Cpl. Jason Pietarila, Officer Richard Leblanc, Officer Warren Willets and Officer Heather Hernandez.
Previous Stories: March 19, 2010: Angry Citizens Demand Changes Amid Jail Problems March 18, 2010: Officer Arrested, Accused Of Helping Escapee March 18, 2010: Step-By-Step Plan Released For Troubled Jail March 18, 2010: Sheriff Steps In To Fill Jail Security Gaps March 17, 2010: Captured Escapee Convict: "I Just Wanted To See My Kids" March 17, 2010: Jail To Spend $4 Million To Improve Security March 15, 2010: Lover's Diary Reveals Details About Escapee March 12, 2010: Corrections Officer Resigns From Osceola Co. Jail March 11, 2010: Inmates Allegedly Dug Tunnel In Jail Cell March 2, 2010: 20 Employees Broke Rules That Allowed Inmate's Escape March 2, 2010: Grandma Who Helped Jail Escapee Bonds Out March 2, 2010: Discipline Coming For Osceola Jail After Escape February 23, 2010: Jail Chief Admits Mistake In Inmate Escape February 23, 2010: Grandma Arrested, Escape Was Family Affair February 22, 2010: Detectives Arrest Father Of Escaped Inmate February 19, 2010: Violent Inmate Escapes From Osceola Jail
WFTV
