Escaped Inmates Rickey Martin and Kentravious Holmes Back in Custody

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Two inmates, Rickey Martin and Kentravious Holmes, escaped from the Sumter County Jail on Sunday evening around 9:30 p.m. Both inmates were facing murder charges, as well as aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Sheriff Eric Bryant reported that the inmates were able to compromise access to a maintenance door, climb to the roof, and gain access to the outside. A car was recently stolen in the area, which was later seen on camera in Albany, but there was no evidence the inmates were involved. Bryant later reported that both inmates were back in custody after 9:00 p.m. on February 12th.

Why it matters

Jail escapes are a serious breach of public safety, especially when the inmates have violent criminal histories. This incident raises questions about security protocols at the Sumter County Jail and the ability of local law enforcement to quickly apprehend escaped prisoners before they can cause further harm.

The details

According to Sheriff Eric Bryant, Rickey Martin and Kentravious Holmes were able to escape the Sumter County Jail by compromising access to a maintenance door, climbing to the roof, and gaining access to the outside. A car was recently stolen in the area and later spotted on camera in Albany, but there was no evidence linking the inmates to the theft. Bryant reported that both men were back in custody after 9:00 p.m. on February 12th, but did not provide additional details on how they were apprehended.

• On Sunday, February 12th, around 9:30 p.m., Rickey Martin and Kentravious Holmes escaped from the Sumter County Jail.
• After 9:00 p.m. on February 12th, Sheriff Eric Bryant reported that both inmates were back in custody.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office is expected to conduct a full investigation into the jail escape and review security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.