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Drone Delivery Helps Prison Inmate Escape

By George Khoury, Esq. on July 13, 2017 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

In a story that's too strange to not be true, one South Carolina inmate escaped from prison with a little help from a drone. Fortunately, the inmate is back behind bars, but authorities found him, literally asleep in a Texas motel, with nearly $50,000 in cash, along with a couple guns, and multiple cell phones, just a few days after his escape.

Jimmy Causey, who was sentenced to life for kidnapping, allegedly received wire cutters and a cell phone from a drone. Then, around 8 p.m. on the fourth of July, Causey used the wire cutters to get through four fences and escape. He was not noticed as missing until the next afternoon as it is reported that he made a dummy that he left in his bed so that he would still be counted.

Sleeping on the Lam

What's even more shocking than the fact that Causey made it 1,200 miles in such a short period of time, is that he escaped from prison once before in 2005. In that prison break, he and another inmate put dummies in their beds, and hid in a garbage truck until they were hauled away.

However, similarly, in the 2005 escape, Causey was arrested at a motel. Almost comically, he and his compatriot were foiled by a pizza delivery driver. The driver was instructed to come in, leave the pizza on the table, and take the cash that was left there. When the driver told her husband later that night, they decided to call the authorities, which led to Causey's arrest. Details regarding how the authorities were tipped off to Causey's location this time have not been forthcoming in any reports. However, it was reported that he did not struggle or resist the arrest that occurred at 3 a.m.

Interestingly, one correctional employee at the facility where he escaped from has been terminated as a result of the escape. Details regarding who and why have not been released, and are not expected anytime soon.

Also, though obvious, it's worth noting that whoever was flying the drone likely violated several laws both targeted at drone flyers as well as helping an inmate to escape from prison. 

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