Jatonia Bryant Jr: Capital murder defendant recaptured over one week after jail escape, police attribute 'failure' to jailers

JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS: On Monday, January 29, officials in Jefferson County, Arkansas, announced the rearrest of Jatonia Bryant Jr, the last remaining prisoner who escaped from a local jail. In addition to this, authorities also scrutinized the jail system and law enforcement practices.

The sheriff’s office said that jail officials "failed" to carry out an accurate head count.

How did the Police find Jatonia Bryant Jr?

In reference to Bryant's rearrest, Capt Yohance Brunson saw the fugitive and identified him by his clothing on Monday morning as authorities were conducting surveillance on the east side of Pine Bluff.

"Bryant continued to walk closer to Captain Brunson’s vehicle and Captain Brunson was able to call in additional personnel to take Bryant into custody without incident,” they wrote. “Bryant was transported to the Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center.”

Authorities stated that they intend to charge those who allegedly assisted both individuals in avoiding arrest and that they will carry with their investigation.

As previously reported, on the night of January 20, Jatonia Bryant, facing capital murder charges, and Noah Roush, a burglary defendant also suspected of homicide, reportedly escaped from the Dub Brassell Adult Detention Center.

They accomplished this by descending down a roof and through a hole in the shower.

According to court documents, jail officials only became aware that the individuals were missing on the morning of January 22.

The sheriff's office questioned the structure of the Jail 

In their statement, the sheriff's office mentioned facing budgetary challenges, attributing long-standing issues with the jail's layout and lower staffing levels compared to previous administrations to these financial difficulties.

“While escapes are infrequent, they do occur considering the will and means of any given detainee. That does not excuse the actions of our jailers,” they wrote.

The statement added, “This failure on the part of our jailers, to not follow policies and procedures, is not in keeping with the high standards set by the JCSO. This investigation continues as well, and each person will be dealt with accordingly.”

The sheriff’s office emphasized that they are working on improvements to make sure something like these escapes do not happen again.

“Under my administration, we have made investments in and around both of our detention centers, all essential steps in fortifying our facility against future breaches,” Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr said.

He added, “The recent escape of detainees Noah Roush and Jatonia Bryant serves as a catalyst for further capital improvements, prompting us to redouble our efforts to address critical, longstanding challenges inherited from previous administrations related to the design and structure of the jail itself.”

As per Law and Crime, Bryant was originally locked up at the jail after turning himself in on August 18, 2023, for an allegation that he and a 17-year-old boy drove up to the intersection of 8th Avenue and Myrtle Street on July 29, 2023, and fatally opened fire on 49-years-old Christopher Harris.

Both are charged with capital murder and counts of terroristic acts and aggravated assault.