Prisoners escape EDCF

By Jon Pic
Published: Monday, October 29, 2007 5:19 PM CDT
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For the first time since the opening of the Central Unit of the El Dorado Correctional Facility in 1991, two prisoners escaped the maximum security prison.

Jesse L. Bell, 33, and Steven A. Ford, 26, were in the recreation yard during a segregation period around 8:30 Sunday evening. The two prisoners were able to get out, said CSIII Dale Call, by cutting the interior fence around the yard.

"They cut it, set off the alarm," Call said. "Once the alarm was set off, a response team was activated to that area."

By the time the response team arrived at the scene, Bell and Ford had already cut through the outer fence.

As of press time, Call said they believed a former corrections officer, Amber Goff, 23, was connected to the escape.

Reports of a white Ford Taurus in the area of the facility led to the discovery of a vehicle matching the description in Augusta. The vehicle was traced back to Goff and inside the car, police discovered she had "purchased stuff to facilitate escape," Call said, though those items are being kept under wraps for now.

Police searched Goff's residence to discover even more compounding evidence that she was involved with the break-out. In addition to indications that Goff purchased ammunition, investigators found a portion of a map with a route traced out from North Dakota to Canada. Call said the other part of the map was either with the escapees or had been destroyed.

Goff was employed by the facility from September 2006 until earlier this month.

Investigators are now looking for a light blue 2007 Ford Taurus with Arkansas plates 088 LJT. The vehicle was rented from Enterprise Car Rental in Oklahoma City prior to the escape.

Bell is a white male serving multiple sentences from Finney, Leavenworth and Cowley counties for forgery, burglary, battery and a previous escape. He's 5'11'', weighs 250 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair. He has several tattoos on his arms, wrists and biceps.

Ford is also a white male serving a sentence from Wyandotte County for robbery and indecent liberties. He's also 5'11'', weighs 195 pounds and has brown hair and eyes. He has tattoos on his upper arms of a ribbon with a cross.

Because law enforcement discovered evidence to suggest the purchase of ammunition, Bell, Ford and Goff are believed to be armed and extremely dangerous. If seen, contact law enforcement agencies immediately.

The facility itself remains on lock down status and officials are reviewing the security systems. EDCF is working with the assistance of area law enforcement, Kansas Department of Corrections Special Enforcement Officers and U.S. Marshalls to find the subjects.

It is still unclear as to how the prisoners were able to cut through the first fence unnoticed.

"I don't even want to speculate on anything," Call said. "Right now we're focused on apprehending them. After that, I'm sure everyone will second-guess everything."

EDCF Warden Ray Roberts was unavailable for comment.

 

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Possible Escapee Clothing Found in SW Oklahoma

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/10854076.html

 

The search for two escaped El Dorado Correctional Facility inmates has led law enforcement officials to Sayre, Oklahoma. Investigators say clothing believed to belong to Steven A Ford and Jesse L. Bell was found shortly after 10:00 AM Monday. Sayre is in the southwestern part of Oklahoma approximately 300 miles from El Dorado.

The sheriff of Beckham County, Oklahoma says the clothing was found this morning by a Department of Transportation crew emptying trash at a rest area near Sayre, off of Interstate 40. Inside the trash they found two department of corrections uniforms.

During a 4pm news conference, prison officials said they believe one of the inmates was injured during the escape and could be seeking medical attention.

The escape was reported at about 8:30 Sunday evening when a hole was discovered cut in a fence at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. They escaped in a vehicle that was parked nearby.

That car was found in the parking lot of an Augusta shopping center. Authorities say that vehicle was traced to a former prison employee - 23-year-old Amber Goff.

Evidence found at Goff's home has also implicated her in the escape plot, including driving directions to Canada. Goff was employed at EDCF from September 2006 through October 2007. They won't say what her position at the prison was or what duties it entailed.

They believe she is currently with the escapees.

It is believed they are now traveling in a 2007 light blue Ford Taurus with Arkansas plates 088 LJT. The vehicle was rented through Enterprise Car Rental in Oklahoma City prior to the escape.

Department of Corrections Spokesperson Bill Miskell due to the receipts found in the personal residence for recent purchases of ammunition, the escapees should be considered armed and dangerous. He asks that anyone who sees anyone matching their descriptions call local law enforcement immediately and do not approach them.

Ford was convicted in 1998 in Wyandotte County of robbery and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Bell was convicted for offenses stretching back to 1991 in Finney and Cowley County. Those offenses include forgery, burglary, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and aggravated escape from custody.

Again, Bell and Ford should not be approached. If you believe you've seen them, call your local authorities immediately.