The eighth family member to be charged connection with assisting and harboring an inmate who escaped from the Brunswick County jail last month is now in custody.
William Earl Hewett, 22, escaped from the Brunswick County jail at about 4 p.m. Jan. 29, when he reportedly switched arm bands with his brother, Curtis Hewett, who was set to be bonded out, according to Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram. On Feb.3, sheriff’s deputies stormed what was described as a “family compound” off Trails End Drive in Southport, where they arrested escaped inmate William Earl Hewett and several family members.
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Bobby Wayne Hewett, William Hewett’s uncle, was arrested Thursday in Brunswick County District Court after testifying in a hearing to reduce the $1.5 million bonds of his wife, Tanna Lynn Hewett, and son, Robert Wayne Hewett, who were arrested Feb. 3, according to Emily Flax, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.
Bobby Hewett has been charged with felony harboring an escapee and misdemeanor accessory after the fact, according to court records. He was taken to the Brunswick County Detention Center, where he was placed under a $1.5 million secured bond.
Additional charges were filed Monday against several members of the Hewett family. William Hewett, Katherine Hewett Carter, Earl Antonio Carter, Tanna Lynn Hewett and Curtis Wayne Hewett have been charged with animal cruelty, according to Flax.
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“Seventeen dogs of various breeds and one equine were found at the Hewett family compound and were seized by [animal protective services] on the morning of Feb. 3,” Flax said. “Many of the dogs were found with no food, water or adequate shelter and some were tied with chains weighing as much as 26 pounds. Several of the dogs were found to be in extremely poor health, suffering from mange and in need of veterinary care.”
Three detention officers have been disciplined and one detention officer was fired in the wake of William Hewett’s escape.
Aaron Glen Stanley, who was hired in August 2014, was suspended on Feb. 6 for two days, according to Flax. Ronald Gore, a lieutenant at the jail hired in 1996, was suspended on Feb. 6 for two days. Karl Dean Scoggins, a sergeant in the jail, was demoted to corporal.
Ingram said William Hewett’s escape was one of “human error,” not an error in the sheriff’s office system, which he described as “sound.” Ingram said the process “broke down,” which allowed him to escape.
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The process to release an inmate must be completed by a corporal. In this case it was Cpl. Ashley Harrell, who was fired from the sheriff’s office on Jan. 31, after being placed on administrative leave Jan. 30.
William Hewett remains in custody under a $3 million secured bond. He is being held in an isolation cell, away from all of his family, Ingram said.
Caroline Curran is the managing editor of Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6336 or caroline.c@portcitydaily.com. On Twitter: @cgcurran
