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Deputies disciplined after Ind. inmate escape

Posted at 4:25 PM, Nov 30, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-30 16:25:47-05

VERSAILLES, Ind. -- Two Ripley County Jail deputies have been disciplined and a third was fired for the escape of an inmate who was in their protective custody Saturday night.

Ripley County Sheriff Jeff Cumberworth said 41-year-old inmate Christopher Rolfes escaped from deputies while being booked into the jail Saturday night, triggering a nine-hour, overnight manhunt. 

Rolfes made it about 5 miles before a resident spotted him and dialed 911.

The circumstances suggest his escape attempt Saturday night was premeditated. According to court records, Rolfes was behind bars originally in Dearborn County for violating parole on a forgery conviction. He was moved to Ripley County because he claimed he had information on other inmates.

But Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said that was just a hoax.

"It's clear that he was giving information that never panned out because this is a man who was willing to do anything to get out of jail," Negangard said.

Now, Rolfes faces new charges in Ripley County in addition to parole violation in Dearborn County.

"Given the fact that he escaped over the weekend, it's apparent that Mr. Rolfes is not anyone who is going to obey the law," Nagengard said. "He needs to spend as much time in jail as possible."

Nagengard said Rolfes could go back to prison for another 16 years from Dearborn County and up to six more for the escape from Ripley County.