Michigan Sheriff: Inmate Escaped by Switching ID

Jan. 28, 2013

Authorities say Rocky Marquez used the same method to escape from an Arizona jail in May.

The inmate who escaped from a Wayne County Jail facility last week, and remained on the loose Saturday, likely had help, said Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.

Rocky Marquez, 34, left the Division 1 Jail on Clinton Street in Detroit on Jan. 20, but jail staff didn't realize it until Friday, Napoleon said. Marquez got out by switching identities with another inmate -- the same method he used to escape from an Arizona jail in May, authorities said.

"We believe that he had help. The extent of that help is not known at this time. We believe that at least one inmate assisted, and we are checking to see if he had help from employees with the agency," Napoleon said.

"Obviously, I'm extremely concerned. I believe that it is a combination of employee error and possibly some technology error. That is what we are looking at at this point."

The sheriff said that if any employees did not follow proper procedures, which led to the escape, they would face severe discipline. He would not release details about the day Marquez was incorrectly released.

Napoleon said Marquez is considered dangerous and rather than approach him, residents should call 911 if they know where he is. The U.S. Marshals Service has a hot line for reports of fugitives at 800-336-0102.

Napoleon declined to discuss details about Marquez, noting that he is a federal prisoner.

An agency spokeswoman who declined to be identified for publication said that Marquez escaped from the Lower Buckeye Jail in Maricopa County, Ariz., in May and was found on Jan. 14 at a residence in metro Detroit where he had been staying for several days. Marquez, who had been in custody since 2010, was awaiting sentencing in Arizona on state charges including fraud, witness tampering, misconduct involving weapons and drunken driving, she said.

The Arizona Republic reported that Marquez has ties to organized crime and drug cartels and was released from federal prison in 2001.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service