The US Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the capture of Casey White, a capital murder suspect, and the location of “missing and endangered correctional officer” Vicky White, who went missing in northwest Alabama on Friday. the federal agency announced on Sunday.
White, 38, a Lauderdale County corrections officer, left a detention center around 9:40 a.m. on April 29 to go to court but never arrived, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office said.
The two are not related despite sharing a last name.
“Casey White is believed to be a serious threat to the correctional officer and the public,” said US Marshal Marty Keely.
White was charged with two counts of capital murder in September 2020 for the stabbing of 58-year-old Connie Ridgeway and was already in jail for a series of crimes committed in 2015, including breaking and entering, vehicle theft and a police pursuit, according to the US Marshals Service. White confessed to the murder and was awaiting trial in the Lauderdale County Jail at the time of his disappearance, according to the agency.
Casey White is 6 feet 9 inches tall, weighs about 260 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes, according to the US Marshals Service.
Anyone with information about the location of Casey White or the disappearance of Vicky White is asked to contact law enforcement by calling the USMS Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102 or submitting anonymous tips via the US Marshals Tips Appaccording to the agency.
“Don’t try to stop this fugitive,” Keely said.
Vicki and Casey White left the detention center reportedly for a mental health evaluation in court. But investigators have since confirmed that such an evaluation was never scheduled, according to Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton.
At the time of her departure, Vicki White, a 25-year-old employee, told the reservations officer that she was going to a medical appointment after dropping off Casey White because she was not feeling well. But she didn’t have an appointment scheduled, Singleton said.
She also transported the suspect herself, a strict violation of the policy that requires two sworn officers to transport a person on those charges, the sheriff said.
The marked 2013 Ford Taurus patrol car they were traveling in was later found in a shopping center, according to the sheriff.
Officers became aware of the two missing around 3:30 p.m. Friday, when Vicki White’s phone went directly to voicemail after repeated attempts to reach her, the sheriff said, adding that later it was confirmed that Casey White did not return to the detention center either. .
Vicki White had a 9mm firearm and it was not known if there were any other weapons on the patrol, Singleton said.
On Friday, the sheriff said investigators were looking for any video from the mall where the patrol vehicle was found to learn more about what happened.
Investigators are seeking to determine if Vicki White aided Casey White in her escape, but are operating as if she was taken against her will until they know otherwise, Singleton said Friday.
“I believe this, knowing the inmate: I believe she is in danger, regardless of the circumstances,” the sheriff said Friday. “She was in jail for capital murder.”
Reference-www.nbcnews.com