On Friday February 5, 2021 at approximately 9:00 p.m. corrections officers at the Ross County Jail were alerted to an escape from a 2nd floor housing unit at the jail. A corrections officer in the alley beside the law enforcement complex conducting a perimeter check heard activity on the roof of the complex and radioed for assistance.
The corrections officer observed prisoner James Bick climbing down the side of the jail and immediately took him into custody. Three other prisoners Jeffrey Adkins, Dustin Cummings, and Christopher Varney took off down the alley. The Chillicothe Police Department was on the scene almost immediately and. began assisting in the search. The Ohio State Patrol was contacted and sent troopers and a helicopter to assist. A short time later Christopher Varney turned himself back into corrections officers.
Jeffrey Adkins was taken into custody by the Chillicothe Police Department behind IHOP in Shawnee Square after jumping into the Scioto River. Dustin Cummings was taken into custody by the Police Department in the area of S.R. 772 and Patton Hill Road at 10:10 p.m.The investigation so far shows that the 4 prisoners working with possible others were able to breach a wall in the jail.
The Ohio Bureau of Adult Detention has been contacted to conduct a review of the incident, and I have been working closely with the Ross County Board of Commissioners and the Ross County Prosecuting Attorney in the review of this incident.
The four prisoners listed will face further criminal charges. The results of the review by the Bureau of Adult Detention will be released when it is completed. I would like to express my gratitude to The Chillicothe Police Department and the State Highway Patrol for their assistance in the quick apprehension of the escapees.
