FOLKSTON, Ga. — Charlton County officials are asking residents to be on the lookout for a man who escaped from D. Ray James Correctional Facility, which is located in Folkston.
The Charlton County Emergency Management Agency issued the alert Sunday afternoon on behalf of the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office.
The escapee is a 35-year-old Black man of Haitian nationality. He has dreadlocks and was last seen wearing khaki clothing. He is “suspected to be injured” and “may be dangerous,” officials say.
Later in the evening, police released the man’s identity as Beneck Barthold. In a statement on Facebook, Sheriff Phillips shared that Barthold was discovered missing at 10 a.m. on Sunday and was believed to have traveled east into a wooded area behind the prison.
The Sheriff said that he was nude and “appeared to have been injured by the security fence.”
The search remains ACTIVE, with law enforcement personnel continuing operations in the area. The public is warned not to approach or try to detain him.
Residents should stay alert, be aware of their surroundings and report any possible sightings to 911 immediately.
Anyone who sees a person matching the description should avoid approaching and let law enforcement handle the situation, Charlton officials said.
Action News Jax has reached out to the sheriff’s office for more information regarding the inmate and his escape.
This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.
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