In 2020, a riot broke out at McCormick State Prison when a 35-year-old inmate from South Carolina took a female correctional officer hostage and attempted to escape. As a result of this incident, the inmate has been sentenced to life in prison.
Chavis L. Cox was found guilty on all charges, including taking a hostage as an inmate and attempting to escape, after a trial held from May 28-30.
Prosecutors have reported that Chief Administrative Judge Debra R. McCaslin has imposed a sentence of life imprisonment for the offense of taking a hostage.
The latest suspect arrested in the murder case of three teenagers in Aiken County is facing a new charge.
Under South Carolina law, the offense is categorized as a second “strike” or “most serious” crime. At the time of the incident, Cox was already serving a 40-year prison sentence for murder.
According to prosecutors, Cox and two co-defendants coerced a female correctional officer into Cox’s cell on the evening of December 27, 2020.
Upon entering the cell, the inmates instructed her to remove her clothing and confiscated her keys.
During the trial, the correctional officer gave testimony that Cox was in possession of a weapon that resembled a knife, which is considered contraband in the facility.
Inmates at the McCormick Correctional Institute, a state prison, released several other prisoners from their cells after confiscating the keys and radio of one of the guards.
According to estimates, more than 80 inmates were set free, leading to an emergency situation that required the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s assistance.
A domestic dispute led to an Augusta man allegedly starting a fire early Thursday, causing damage to two residences and personal property.
During the riot, several other correctional officers were taken hostage in different parts of the prison.
The SWAT team members of SLED successfully rescued the female officer who had been trapped inside Cox’s cell.
Five inmates, including Cox, were caught by correctional officers after fleeing over a prison fence.
Cox came across a cellphone that was discovered on the ground and believed to be contraband.
After a thorough inspection of Cox’s cellphone, it was discovered that the inmate had been meticulously devising a plan to escape from prison. The phone was found to contain incriminating evidence such as photographs of Cox, detailed maps of the facility, and a well-crafted escape plan.
The authorities have transferred Cox to a different correctional facility to carry out his sentence.
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