Choctaw County Alabama: 3 Inmates Who Escaped Alabama Jail After Assaulting Guard Have Been Rearrested

By Jobs & Hire Staff Reporter | Dec 15, 2014 11:46 AM EST

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Choctaw County Alabama - Authorities in Alabama have rearrested three inmates who escaped from a Choctaw County jail on Saturday morning after trouncing a guard. 

Reports indicate that Justin Gordon, 23, Gemayel Culbert, 32, and Demarcus Woodard, 23, were held in a pod, as they awaited their trials for separate crimes. 

According to the Choctaw County Sheriff, the incident happened when a guard, whose identity has been withheld, went into the pod alone to check on its occupants after hearing someone screaming. He allegedly entered the cell to check on a man, who appeared to be very sick and vomiting.

The three men attacked and beat the guard, before wrapping his head with a towel and spraying him with Lysol, a cleaning solution. They took his keys and cell phones and escaping on foot. The guard was left unconscious in the pod which had access to a catwalk, telephones and bathrooms. He later dialed 911 after regaining his consciousness.

Official reports indicate that the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal are collaborating to bring the inmates back into custody. 

Authorities found Gordon in Tuscaloosa. He was reportedly apprehended inside a parking lot on Saturday night. It's unclear if he went to steal a car or to hide in it. Informers reportedly called investigators after they saw Gordon making his way to the parking lot.

Meanwhile, Culbert was arrested in Sumter County on Sunday morning. Officials have not released details of his capture.

Current reports indicate that Woodard, who is facing a capital murder charge along with Culbert, was found in Tuscaloosa on Sunday morning. Gordon was charged with burglary and armed robbery.

After their escape, authorities used dogs from the Department of Corrections to track the inmates. They followed their trail to the parking lot of a bank before losing them. Officials suspect that the men may have stolen on car or had one waiting for them. 

The guard, who was assaulted by the inmates, was transported to a hospital after the incident. He was later released. It is unclear if he will be reprimanded for the incident.

Choctaw County Sheriff Tom Abate said that the guard's experience and the subsequent escape should be a lesson to all other officials of correctional facilities.

"The jailer probably should have had somebody go in there with him, but he didn't," Abate said. "I'm sure it's a learning experience for him and the other jailers."

Choctow County authorities say an internal investigation into how the guards escaped would be conducted.

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