BY VALERIE GONZALEZ AND MARK REAGAN
Two inmates who escaped from a federal contractor transporting them to their federal hearings in Hidalgo County on Tuesday morning were improperly restrained, according to a federal source with knowledge of the incident.
According to the source, employees with ISS, a contractor hired by Border Patrol to transport inmates, were taking two men in their 20s and 30s to their federal hearing when they managed to open the door of the transport vehicle from the inside.
Border Patrol confirmed the escape and urged the public not to contact or detain the subjects, who have not been identified.
“On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, two subjects escaped from Federal custody as they were being transported by Federal contractors to their initial appearance for criminal proceedings,” the statement said. “The public should not attempt to contact or detain the subjects. Contact local law enforcement or call the United States Border Patrol at 1-800-863-9382 with any information regarding the escaped subjects.”
The Texas Department of Public Safety initially confirmed that two inmates escaped after receiving a notification from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office at 7:25 a.m.
The sheriff’s office, which assisted in the response, issued a bulletin that included a description of the men. One man was wearing a red shirt and gray pants; the other was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, according to a county law enforcement officer who received the bulletin.
Initially, there was some confusion on where the subjects escaped.
The Edcouch-Elsa school district posted on social media that it locked down schools in the area out of an abundance of caution after receiving notice of an escape from the East La Villa Detention Center.
That has since been clarified by Border Patrol and La Villa Police Chief Feliciano Ramos.
“This public notice is to advise the citizens of La Villa that a report of two detainees transported by ISS Action Transport Group had separated themselves from a transport vehicle while en route to the East Hidalgo Detention Center,” Ramos said in a statement posted to the city of La Villa’s Facebook page. “After further investigation by outside agencies, it was determined that the incident occurred in the area of FM 1015 and Frontage road in Weslaco, TX.
“Please be advised that this incident did not occur in the City of La Villa and there is no threat to the community. Also be advised that a temporary campus lockdown has been canceled.”
The Monitor has reached out to ISS and is awaiting a response.
There has yet to be an update in the status of the search for the escaped subjects.
