Pair arraigned following escape from county jail

FAYETTEVILLE — A woman accused of posing as a deputy from California to spring her boyfriend from the Washington County jail pleaded not guilty in circuit court Wednesday.

Maxine Feldstein, 30, was arrested Aug. 17 in connection with forgery, accomplice to escape and criminal impersonation. Her 23-year-old boyfriend Nicholas Lowe was arrested in connection with escape, according to the affidavit.

Lowe pleaded not guilty to the escape charge Wednesday.

Feldstein was given a Nov. 7 court date before Washington County Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay. Lowe was given an Oct. 15 court date before Lindsay.

Both were arrested July 14 and taken to the Washington County Detention Center. Feldstein was arrested in connection with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and bonded out the next day. Lowe had a hold from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in California for false impersonation.

Feldstein called the jail July 27 and identified herself as “Deputy Kershaw with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office,” according to a probable cause affidavit. She told the deputy on duty she sent a fax to release the hold on Lowe.

The deputy said he hadn’t received the fax and gave his email address, to which Feldstein sent an “authentic looking form” releasing Ventura County’s hold, according to the affidavit.

A deputy from Ventura County called two days later saying he was on the way to pick up Lowe, but Lowe already had been released.

Washington County deputies reviewed video of a jail visit and saw Lowe tell Feldstein to pose as a Ventura County deputy and what to say, according to the affidavit.

Feldstein and Lowe were being held Wednesday at the Washington County Detention Center without bonds.

Officials at the Sheriff’s Office said they were reviewing policies and procedures to prevent a recurrence.

Feldstein