BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — An inmate who escaped from a Doddridge County jail by assuming the identity of another inmate is back behind bars.
U.S. Marshals arrested Kevin Gregory Wednesday evening at a residence on Hawkins Rd. off of Old Route 33 near Buckhannon.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Department said that on Tuesday morning Gregory switched identification bracelets with fellow inmate at the North Central Regional Jail Bruce Clayton. The switch was made because Clayton was scheduled to be released on home confinement later in the day.
Gregory, while posing as Clayton, was transported to Marion County where he was permitted to change into civilian clothing and ordered to report to the home confinement office for processing. When Clayton failed to arrive at the office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department was notified and a manhunt ensued.
The West Virginia State Police, Fairmont Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Department searched throughout the day on Tuesday without success.
U.S. Marshals investigators learned that Gregory made his way from Marion County to Lewis County during the morning hours on Wednesday where he then received a ride to the residence where he was arrested near Buckhannon.
Gregory was originally in jail for failing to register as a sexual offender.