An inmate who allegedly escaped from the custody of the Claiborne County Jail with help from his family has been caught.
According to a news release from the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Stephen Eugene Gibson, 20, allegedly walked away from a work detail on Dec. 29.
Through investigation, it was found that on the day of his escape he made several calls from the jail.
The investigation led Det. Tim Shrout, Capt. David Honeycutt and other officers with the CCSO to a residence on Goins Cemetery Lane in Tazewell. The residence is home to Carol M. Blake, 68, who is Gibson’s grandmother. CCSO officers allege that Blake assisted Gibson with his escape.
During the early morning hours of Dec. 31 investigators were led to neighboring Union County, where Gibson and his wife Fancy Gibson, 19, of Tazewell, were taken into custody and transported immediately to the Claiborne County Jail.
“Gibson is an inmate who was placed on a work detail picking up litter,” said Sheriff David Ray. “The holiday season is often a time inmates want to visit their families when locked up, but it is unusual that the families assist in their escape.”
All three family members are presently in custody at the Claiborne County Jail, according to the CCSO release. Stephen Gibson, Fancy Gibson and Carol Blake have each been charged with permitting or facilitating escape, a felony charge. They are currently awaiting arraignment before Claiborne County Sessions Judge Robert Estep.
Reach Marisa Anders at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @newsgirl88.
