Two inmates escape FC jail

Two Franklin County Jail inmates escaped around 10:30 p.m. Feb. 21, and one is back in custody in Mississippi, according to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver.

Richie O’Neal Landers, 45, Hodges, and Andy John Hanson, 27, Winfield, escaped through a plumbing access that led to the roof. At the time of their escape, a fight had broken out in the jail that investigators believe was a diversion to facilitate their escape.

Both inmates were in jail for probation violation and were waiting to be transferred to prison. They had been sentenced to probation revocation. Oliver said that the state hadn’t let FCSO know when the transfer was going to take place yet.

Landers was originally arrested in January when he was charged with attempted first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief second degree and felony probation violation. Oliver said investigators are reviewing Hanson’s original arrest, which was burglary related.

There is no known prior connection between Landers and Hanson, Oliver said, but investigators are planning on questioning Hanson once they have him back in Franklin County custody.

Hanson was caught in Mississippi in the Tupelo area around 11 a.m. Feb. 22, when he was stopped for a traffic violation. Oliver said he expects to have Hanson back in custody around 3-4 p.m. if Hanson signs the extradition papers.

There are currently no leads on Landers, but the investigation is ongoing.