4 Inmates Who Escaped From Federal Prison In Virginia Back In Custody

The U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Wednesday that the four inmates who escaped a minimum-security prison in Virginia are now back in custody.

The bureau said that the prisoners were found missing from the satellite camp of the Federal Correctional Complex Petersburg in Virginia, around 1.45 a.m. Saturday, reported ABC News. Corey Branch, Lamonte Rashawn Willis, Tavaraes Lajuane Graham and Kareem Allen Shaw left the minimum security camp around 10 p.m Friday. Senior Inspector Kevin Connolly of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force said that it was a couple of hours before their absence was detected.

Officials said that Graham returned to the camp and surrendered early Sunday. As for Branch and Shaw, they surrendered on Tuesday. Officials said that finally Willis surrendered at Petersburg’s medium security facility on Wednesday. Details about the escape was not shared by officials. NPR reported that Connolly said in a statement that the U.S. Marshals Service and the bureau continue to investigate. They will relay findings to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Richmond.

The minimum-security satellite camps have limited or no perimeter fencing and have dormitory housing. Inmate labor is provided to the main institution and to off-site work programs.

In the Eastern District of North Carolina, Graham was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The 44-year-old was sentenced for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As for 41-year-old Branch, he was sentenced in the Eastern District of Virginia. He was sentenced to more than 13 years for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm.

In the Western District of Virginia, Shaw, 46, was sentenced to more than 16 years. He was sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a measurable quantity of heroin. Aa for 30-year-old Willis, he was sentenced in the Eastern District of Virginia. He was sentenced to 18 years for possessing and concealing a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

USA Today reported that the four inmates are now being held in the medium-security section of the prison, and that each faces the possibility of extending their stays there by a maximum of five years. This is for escaping from federal prison.