Trustee at McIntosh County Detention Center

leaves assignment, captured 13 hours later

A trustee at the McIntosh County Detention Center left a work assignment on Tuesday evening, Feb. 24, and was captured after searching through the night in the marsh near the center, almost 13 hours later.

According to a report from Sheriff T.K. King, “At approximately 6:40 p.m., Tuesday evening, trustee Michael Joseph Concannon, left a work assignment on site without permission. Detention officers reported that Concannon left the premises and entered an awaiting vehicle. Deputies were dispatched to the area in search of the suspect vehicle and Concannon.

“Deputies located the suspected vehicle on Hwy. 251 and conducted a traffic stop. They identified the driver as 47-year-old Jerome Ford of Orlando, Fla. Concannon was not in the vehicle. Ford was placed under arrest and transported ot the McIntosh County Detention Center. The traffic stop investigation provided additional information that Concannon may be at the Quality Inn hotel in Darien.

“Deputies searched the inn and were unable to locate Concannon. A search through the night, involving several area law enforcement agencies, was strategically shifted at approximately 5 a.m. on Feb. 25.

Sheriff King stated, “At approximately 7:30 a.m., Concannon was located in a marshy area behind the Dunwoody Plantation neighborhood (on Hwy. 251, not far from the detention center). Concannon was taken into custody accordingly. He was transported to the Southeast Georgia Medical Center for medical treatment, then will be returned to custody at the McIntosh County Detention Center.”

According to the report, Concannon, 47, was being housed in the Detention Center for a charge of failure to appear.

Sheriff King added, “The escape of a trustee from our custody was taken very seriously from the moment it occurred. Our deputies responded immediately and worked tirelessly to ensure the individual was safely apprehended.

“I want to personally thank the McIntosh County Fire Department, McIntosh County EMS, McIntosh County Emergency Management Agency, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, Glynn County Police Department, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office and Brantley County Sheriff’s Office for their effort, resources and partnership during this incident. Their support and coordination were instrumental in bringing this situation to a safe and successful conclusion,” Sheriff King said.