News

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Fugitive Who Escaped Muskingum County Jail Pleads Guilty to Original Charges

On April 7, 2025, Wayne S. Pletcher pleaded guilty to two charges stemming from his initial arrest in July 2024.

Pletcher had previously made headlines in February when he escaped from Muskingum County Jail. Charges related to the jailbreak are still pending and remain scheduled for jury trial later this month.

Details of the Case:

On July 16, 2024, deputies pulled over a car with an expired registration. They recognized the driver, Wayne S. Pletcher, who had outstanding warrants for failure to appear and a post-release control violation.

Maria Randall, also with an active warrant, was in the passenger seat. After identifying the occupants, deputies searched the vehicle. Authorities found multiple syringes, a plastic wrapper with white residue, and a crack pipe.

As the officers took Pletcher to Muskingum County Jail, he began to sweat. After complaining of being hot, authorities asked Pletcher if he took anything. Pletcher denied doing so. Shortly after arriving at the jail, Pletcher admitted to jail staff that he took up to one gram of fentanyl. Reports state that Pletcher admitted to eating it after he saw the police car behind him.

Pletcher’s charges include tampering with evidence and possessing drug abuse instruments.

Pletcher faces up to 36 months in prison for tampering with evidence. He also faces 90 days in jail for having drug abuse instruments.

Judge Cottrill has ordered a pre-sentence investigation and will hold sentencing at a later date.

Assistant Prosecutor Warren T. Edwards, who secured these convictions, adds that he intends to argue for a maximum prison sentence. Edwards will also argue for including Pletcher’s remaining time on post-release control in the sentencing due to Pletcher’s violation of orders from another crime he previously committed.

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