4 inmates who escaped federal prison camp back in custody
HOPEWELL — All four inmates who escaped a minimum-security prison satellite camp in Virginia over the weekend are back in custody, the U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Wednesday.
The inmates were discovered missing from the satellite camp of the Federal Correctional Complex Petersburg in Hopewell, around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, the bureau said in a news release.
Tavaraes Lajuane Graham, Corey Branch, Lamonte Rashawn Willis and Kareem Allen Shaw left the minimum security camp around 10 p.m. Friday; it was a couple of hours before their absence was detected, said Senior Inspector Kevin Connolly of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Graham returned to the camp and surrendered early Sunday and Branch and Shaw surrendered Tuesday, officials said. Willis surrendered at Petersburg’s medium security facility on Wednesday, officials said.
Bureau officials did not release any details about the escape but said an internal investigation has been initiated. According to the bureau’s website, its minimum-security satellite camps have dormitory housing and limited or no perimeter fencing. They provide inmate labor to the main institution and to off-site work programs.
The U.S. Marshals Service and the bureau continue to investigate and will relay findings to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Richmond, Connolly said in a statement.
Graham, 44, was sentenced to 10 years for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Branch, 41, was sentenced to more than 13 years for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm.
Willis, 30, was sentenced to 18 years for possessing and concealing a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Shaw, 46, was sentenced to more than 16 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a measurable quantity of heroin.