Officers from the Madison County Correctional Facility are credited with the quick discovery of what was an escape attempt early Sunday afternoon.
Michael A. Hernandez, 44, of Bridgeport, an inmate at the Madison County Jail attempted to escape from the jail by creating a facsimile of himself on his bunk, disassembling the ceiling of the cell he was assigned to and exiting through it. He was apprehended by correction officers before making it out of his cell, as his legs were dangling overhead.
Hernandez was being held on Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degree at the time of his attempt.
Hernandez had been arrested for DWI Drugs earlier in the week of October 16th and was being taken to a rehabilitation facility by a family member when he decided to leave the vehicle. When the family member attempted to call 911, Hernandez came back to the car, choked the family member, and took the cell phone that was being used. Hernandez then fled and was later apprehended by the New York State Police, arraigned in the Town of Sullivan Court and committed to the Madison County Jail on $300 cash bail, with charges that included:
Criminal Obstruction Of Breathing Or Blood Circulation -Apply Pressure
Criminal Mischief 4th Prevent Emergency Call
Harassment 2nd: Physical Contact
Hernandez posted bail on these charges on Saturday afternoon, but was arrested at that time as the credit card used to post bail was reported as stolen. As a result, Sheriff’s Deputies charged him with:
Grand Larceny 4th degree
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree – Credit Card
Petit Larceny
Criminal Contempt 2nd degree
Hernandez was arraigned in the City of Oneida Court and remanded to the Madison County Jail on $5,000 cash/$10,000 bail bond.
As a result of his actions on Sunday, Hernandez was arrested by Sheriff’s Investigators and was further charged with:
ATTEMPTED Escape-1st: After Felony Arrest Or Conviction
Criminal Tampering in the 3rd degree
He was arraigned Monday morning in Oneida City Court and remanded back to the jail on $10,000 cash/$20,000 bail bond. Hernandez will return to court at a later date to face these charges.
Acting Sheriff John Ball said that at no time was the public in any danger, nor did the facility’s inmate escape siren activate.
“Mr. Hernandez never made it out of the confines of the secure facility, but the evidence that was discovered clearly showed his intentions were not to stay in jail,” Ball said. “The fact that our corrections officers were conducting their rounds and remaining vigilant, as they always do, ensured the safety of not only the facility but the public, as well.
“I commend the officers and supervisors on duty Sunday afternoon that were involved with this incident, as their decisive actions absolutely and abruptly brought this very serious matter to safe resolution.”
The County’s Facilities Maintenance Department responded to the facility to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the areas determined to be involved in the attempt to ensure no further damage was done to the facility and to rule out any further breaches in the secure integrity of the building.