Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 21, 2025
Six People Charged with Helping Man Escape Jail
On February 1, 2025, Wayne Pletcher escaped the Muskingum County jail by walking away from the minimum-security detention area after planning the escape with outside actors.
Pletcher recruited friends, ex-girlfriends and family members to assist in his run from justice. Every person involved in the scheme has been tracked down and arrested pursuant to the investigation by Muskingum County Detective Jeremy Archer.
Those arrested include:
Wayne “Sam” Pletcher, 37, of Zanesville. Charges include multiple counts of escape, tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and possessing criminal tools.
Sara Moore, 45, of Zanesville, Pletcher’s girlfriend. Charges include escape, obstructing justice, and possession of criminal tools.
Christina Webb, 35, of Zanesville, Pletcher’s sister. Charges include obstructing justice and possession of criminal tools.
Vanessa Cooper, 36, of Zanesville, Pletcher’s ex-girlfriend. Charges include two counts of obstructing justice.
Leona Bell Dejesus, 18, of Zanesville, Pletcher’s cousin. Charges include obstructing justice and tampering with evidence.
Eleveea Largent, 18, of Zanesville, Dejesus’s girlfriend. Charges include obstructing justice and tampering with evidence.
James W. Pletcher, 59, of Zanesville, Pletcher’s stepfather/uncle. Charges include obstructing justice and tampering with evidence.
Every single person who aided Pletcher after his escape had the opportunity to pick up a phone and report his location to law enforcement. Instead, they chose to commit felonies and now they will face the consequences of their behavior in the Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas.
Security concerns with the current minimum-security dorm will be addressed with the modern jail design of the new jail on Pershing Ave, according to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz.
“We urge citizens not to allow themselves to be drawn in to the criminal behavior of their friends and relatives,” according to Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch. “If you help someone committing a crime or escaping law enforcement you will be charged and held accountable.”
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