Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard says convicted murderer Ray Tate of Kentucky was stopped in his attempt to escape from the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Center early Sunday morning.
Tate had reportedly gotten out of his cell and was attempting to escape the facility when he was discovered by a correctional officer. Tate was being held in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting sentencing on April 22nd on the murder charge he pleaded guilty to earlier in connection with the death of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley.
Bullard says the jail was already on night shift lockdown status when Tate was apprehended so Deputies and officers from the Mt. Vernon Police Department were requested to set up an exterior perimeter of the Justice Center while a headcount and security check was conducted. It was determined no other detainees were involved and all were present and accounted for.
The initial investigation into the escape attempt revealed Tate discovered a way to get out of his cell, due to a flaw in the original construction of the Justice Center. During his escape attempt, jail property was damaged at several locations. None of the damage rendered the jail unsuitable to continue housing detainees and inmates, with the exception of Tate’s cell. Repairs to all damaged areas is being coordinated by the Sheriff’s Office Maintenance Supervisor.
Further review revealed the flaw was limited to only three specialty cells. Due to security protocols in the jail, no other information about this escape attempt will be released.
Sheriff Bullard will be communicating through the Sheriff’s Association the details of the flaw so other jails with similar construction will be able to take corrective steps.
Upon completion of the criminal investigation, charges for Tate in this escape attempt will be reviewed by the Jefferson County and Wayne County State’s Attorneys.
