𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 | 𝗗. 𝗥𝗔𝗬 𝗝𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗘 November 6, 2026

I want to provide our community with an update regarding the ongoing search for 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱, who escaped from D. Ray James Correctional Facility on November 1, 2026.

At this time, there is no new verified information regarding his whereabouts. We have exhausted all of resources; land, air support, drone and water.

𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. However, because his whereabouts remain unknown, I encourage everyone to continue exercising reasonable caution and remaining aware of their surroundings.

The Sheriff’s Office remains in coordination with the appropriate agencies, and efforts to locate the individual remain ongoing.

𝗜 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼:

• Continue normal daily activities while remaining aware of their surroundings.

• Secure homes, vehicles, and outbuildings.

• Do not approach or attempt to detain the individual if encountered.

• Report possible sightings or immediate safety concerns directly to 911.

I understand the concerns and questions this situation has raised within our community. Please know that the absence of new information does not mean the matter is no longer being addressed. Some information may not be available for public release while investigative efforts continue.

My priority remains the safety and well-being of our residents, and I am committed to sharing accurate, verified information as it becomes available.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀. Charlton County Emergency Management Agency will also assist in sharing verified public safety information.

Thank you for your continued patience, vigilance, and cooperation.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀

Charlton County Sheriff’s Office