5 inmates at large after escaping jail through plumbing – WSB-TV Channel 2

By Best Plumbers On Jan 20, 2023

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Federal agents have joined the search for five inmates who escaped from a Missouri jail Tuesday night.

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The US Marshals Service said it joined the search for the five men and is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of each inmate.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release that five inmates escaped from the St. Francois County Detention Center around 7 p.m. on Jan. 17 after gaining access to a secure cell. The men were discovered missing during the 10 p.m. occupant count, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

In court filings obtained by Post-Dispatch, investigators said the group crawled through a hole behind a sink in the cell and then went to the roof.

The suspects, identified as Kelly McSean, Dakota Pace, Aaron Sebastian, LuJuan Tucker and Michael Wilkins, allegedly used the building’s plumbing system vents and pipes to get to the roof, where they exited through a closet and then up made their way to the ground, NBC News reported.

Deputies said that 15 minutes later, cameras caught the men in the Centene Corporation parking lot, where they stole a gray 2009 Scion TC with temporary Missouri tags. Photos from surveillance video taken in the parking lot appear to show the men stealing the vehicle after discarding their orange clothing.

Stolen vehicle Surveillance video shows investigators believe the car was stolen by five inmates after they escaped from the St. Francois County Detention Center. (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators told the Post-Dispatch that the prison’s cameras, which captured the inmates’ escape, were down due to construction work.

Several of the escaped inmates are believed to be sex offenders. Aaron Sebastian is a registered sex offender who served time in prison for assault, according to US Marshals.

Aaron Sebastian Sebastian is a registered sex offender who served time in prison for assault. (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office)

Kelly McSean, aka Larry Benboom, is a federal sex offender and charged with sexually assaulting a woman.

Kelly McSean McSean, aka Larry BenBoom, faces sexual assault charges. (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office)

LuJuan Tucker was charged with raping a 12-year-old girl in 2003 and was sent to the St. Francois County Detention Center for assault.

Lu Juan Tucker Tucker faces assault charges and was previously accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in 2003. (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office)

Dakota Pace was in prison on multiple charges, including theft and tampering with a motor vehicle.

Dakota pace Pace is accused of stealing and tampering with a motor vehicle. (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office)

Michael Wilkins was in prison for second-degree burglary and violating probation.

Michael Wilkins Wilkins is charged with second-degree burglary and a parole violation. (St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators said all suspects had a long history of 20 years, the Post-Dispatch reported.