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| Wardens retire following offender escape |
| By itemonline.com |
| Published: 01/15/2010 |
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Four more Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees have suffered disciplinary action as the investigation continues into the Nov. 30 escape of offender Arcade Comeaux Jr. All four individuals were employees of the TDCJ Estelle Unit in Walker County. Comeaux was being transferred from the Estelle Unit to the Stiles Unit in Beaumont at the time of his escape. Senior Warden Alfonso Castillo, 50, was investigated for his role in failing to ensure proper TDCJ policy was followed with Comeaux and other offenders. According to a press release from TDCJ Director of Public Information Michelle Lyons, Castillo “failed to ensure that agency policy was complied with in regards to Offender Property Policy, Administrative Segregation Plan and employee search procedures.” Castillo elected to retire after 25 years of service rather than face disciplinary action. Assistant Warden Thomas Hunt, 48, was investigated for the same charges and also elected to retire after 25 years of service. The retirement of both men will be effective Jan. 31. Major of Correctional Officers Thomas L. Hutt, 43, was recommended for dismissal after a Jan. 11 hearing during which he was charged with “violating agency policies and procedures.” Hutt was employed with TDCJ for more than 16 years and has elected to initiate the mediation process with regard to his dismissal and must respond by Jan. 27. Correctional Officer David Delaney, 52, was also recommended for dismissal after nearly two yeas of service. A Dec. 31 hearing charged Delaney with trafficking contraband. “Delaney admitted to delivering notes and contraband to offenders from other offenders,” Lyons said. “He was recommended for dismissal and has elected to initiate the mediation process.” TDCJ offers all employees recommended for dismissal via disciplinary action the opportunity to participate in voluntary mediation in which an impartial third party will act as mediator between the employee in question and an agency official. The mediation could result in the dismissal being rescinded. Comeaux escaped by producing a firearm while in a TDCJ van in the Conroe area. He held two correctional officers hostage while the van drove to the Baytown area, where he fled on foot. He was captured in Houston a week later. It is still unclear how Comeaux obtained the firearm, and Lyons said none of the dismissals made so far are related to the firearm investigation. “These dismissals are not directly related to Comeaux's obtaining a firearm,” Lyons said. “The Office of Inspector General is conducting the criminal investigation into how the firearm was introduced to the facility.” The four names announced Tuesday bring the total number of TDCJ employees facing disciplinary action in the wake of the Comeaux escape to nine. Read More. |
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