CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety said Saturday four officers at the South Central Regional Jail in Charleston had been suspended without pay in connection with this week’s escape of inmate Todd Boyes.
DMAPS Assistant Secretary Larry Messina said in an email the employees were suspended “pending the completion of the investigation.”
Boyes, 43, of Caldwell, Ohio, managed to get some street clothes, changed in his cell and walked out of the jail at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday. Boyes wasn’t reported missing until the 7 p.m. Thursday head count. There were 5 separate head counts over the previous 36 hours plus when Boyes wasn’t at the jail but not reported missing. He had about a 43-hour head start on state police. He remained on the loose Saturday evening.
Messina also said in Saturday’s email those handling the internal investigation are aware of the allegations made by Charleston attorney Kevin Davis who says his client, a jail inmate, told him Wednesday evening that a man named Todd had escaped. Davis said he wrote the information on a note and gave it to a correctional officer who read it and put the note in his pocket.
Messina said Davis’ allegations have been included in the ongoing investigation.
“As the investigation remains ongoing, further comment is not expected at this time,” Messina said.