PIMA COUNTY – Pima County Jail escapee Jose Fernandez was last seen running down Mission Road wearing a white shirt and boxer shorts.
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the jail on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at approximately 06:50 a.m., due to a report of an escaped inmate. When deputies arrived they were told that Fernandez was discovered missing during the morning cell check. However, after an investigation, deputies determined that Fernandez had actually escaped from the Mission Facility at approximately 4:00 p.m., the previous afternoon.
Fernandez reportedly scaled a block wall and managed to break through the steel mesh that covered the exercise yard, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The corrections staff monitoring the inmates didn’t notice him.
Fernandez was a pretrial inmate who was booked into our jail on February 24, 2020. His charges include Aggravated Assault, Auto Theft, and Vandalism.
Fernandez is described as:
- Hispanic male
- 29 years of age
- 5’0” tall
- Approx.135 pounds
- Black hair with a buzz cut, brown eyes
In a Facebook post, the Sheriff’s Office wrote:
Initial investigation indicates that Mr. Fernandez was inappropriately transferred to a lower security area of the facility, it should be noted however, he had been in our custody for approximately 6 weeks and had not exhibited any behaviors that led staff to believe he was not suitable for a lower security placement. It appears that corrections staff failed to provide appropriate oversight of the inmates in the recreation yard. It is clear that the evening physical head count was not conducted in accordance with department policies and procedures. This allowed Mr. Fernandez’ escape to go unnoticed for an unacceptable amount of time. We will address these issues as part of a formal review of the incident and take corrective action.
Our Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (FIST) personnel are actively searching for Mr. Fernandez. Anyone who actively aids Mr. Fernandez in his attempt to avoid capture will be criminally prosecuted. We are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1. You can also submit an anonymous tip, with the potential for a reward, by text, phone, or by going to 88CRIME.org.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office’s management of the jail has been mired in controversy. In 2017, 24-year-old Brandon Roth was killed in the jail by his cellmate King Yates, who was awaiting trial in the shooting death of his wife.
Roth’s family filed an $11 million claim against Pima County, accusing the jail staff acting negligently when they placed Brandon with an accused murderer.