Two inmates from a jail in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, managed to escape after creating a hole in the shower area, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The inmates, Noah Roush and Jatonia Bryant, are currently on the run, and authorities are actively searching for them. Roush is considered a person of interest in a 2022 case involving a body found in the county. Bryant, on the other hand, was being held on a murder charge.
The escape occurred when Roush and Bryant made a hole through the ceiling of the shower area and then proceeded to create another hole in the roof of the facility. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies including the Pine Bluff Police Department Vice and Narcotics, Arkansas State Police, and Arkansas Department of Correction, are working together to locate the escaped inmates.
Authorities have issued a warning that both Roush and Bryant are considered dangerous and should only be approached by law enforcement personnel. They are urging the inmates to turn themselves in as soon as possible. Efforts are underway to track them down, with investigators following leads and checking known addresses, friends, and family connections.
Roush, a 22-year-old White male, was being held on probable cause for residential burglary and theft of property. Bryant, a 23-year-old Black male, was detained on probable cause for Capital Murder. Roush is described as approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing around 180 pounds, with a scar on the right side of his head. Bryant stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 145 pounds.
The search for the escaped inmates involves multiple law enforcement agencies, and authorities are making every effort to apprehend them. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and coordinating with other agencies in their search.
In the past, Bryant turned himself in following the shooting death of a 49-year-old man in July 2023. The details of Roush’s previous case were not disclosed.
The escape of these inmates raises concerns about the security measures in place at the Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center. Authorities are reviewing the facility’s protocols to prevent future incidents. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining the security of correctional facilities.
