State Representative announces new bill alerting Ohioans about escaped inmates

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) -State Representative Bill Roemer (R) announced a new bill designed to alert the public immediately after a prisoner escapes the custody of an Ohio law enforcement agency.

This comes after 19 Investigates recently exposed the escape of a number of inmates from the Summit County Jail and the subsequent failure of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office to notify you and local law enforcement about it.

“Channel 19 definitely provided a lot of background,” said Roemer. “It did lead to me offering this bill.”

Roemer calls his new bill, “The Escaped Convict Alert Program,” which is aimed at informing local law enforcement agencies ¿ and the public ¿ as soon as a felon escapes custody.

During a press conference Tuesday in front of the Summit County Jail, Roemer was accompanied by Kevin Coughlin (R) and Shane Barker (R).

Coughlin is a former member of the Ohio Senate and is currently running for Congress. Coughlin is credited with creating Ohio’s Amber Alert System.

Former SCSO Captain Shane Barker (R) is running against Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree (D).

The announcement was prompted by a series of 19 Investigates reports that uncovered information regarding four Summit County inmates who escaped SCSO custody this year alone.

Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed SCSO never notified them about the escapes, despite state laws requiring the Sheriff’s Office to do so. Ohio’s Revised Code also requires the Sheriff to notify other local law enforcement agencies ¿ however, the Akron Police Department declined to say whether SCSO notified them about the escapes.

“Each law enforcement agency would be notified of that escape so that the Ohio Highway Patrol and other agencies are able to assist in the capture,” said Roemer.

Roemer’s bill is designed to function like an Amber Alert system, immediately notifying local law enforcement agencies, media outlets and the general public whenever a felon escapes from law enforcement custody.

The bill defines a felon as anyone convicted of ¿ or has pleaded guilty to ¿ a felony offense. It also includes anyone indicted or charged with a felony.

“If you’re an escaped felon, we want you returned to jail,” said Roemer. “We want the public safe and we want communication to all the appropriate law enforcement agencies.”

One escape this past March involved Ransom Moffit. He was cleaning the front lobby of the jail when he ran out the front door and bolted across the parking lot, then ran down the street. After receiving a tip later that day, police arrested Moffit at his friend’s garage. The deputy in charge of overseeing the inmate was disciplined for being neglectful.

After Roemer’s press conference, SCSO issued a statement on social media referring to Moffit’s escape, “The incident was reported to local police and news media, with alerts issued on our social media.”

SCSO did send19 News a press release about Moffit’s escape, however, Highway Patrol says they were never notified.

“That notification has to occur so that person is returned, and the public is kept safe,” said Roemer.

SCSO is only required to report escapes to Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections when an inmate escapes directly from jail.

Roemer says his alert program would apply to all inmates in custody ¿ whether they escape from a jail, courthouse or during transport.

The state is currently investigating one escape that 19 Investigates reported last month.

Roemer says if his bill doesn’t pass this year, he’ll reintroduce it during the next legislative session.

Despite numerous requests, Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree declined to comment.