BEAUMONT, Texas — Two federal inmates pleaded guilty Wednesday to escaping from prison in Jefferson County.
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Arnold Troy Crayton and Clemente Valdez Jr. pleaded guilty in separate hearings according to a Department of Justice news release.
Under federal statutes, Crayton and Valdez could each face up to an additional five years in federal prison at sentencing according to the release.
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According to the release, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received a from a citizen near the Bureau of Prison Camp Facility, reporting they had witnessed inmates crossing a pasture and being picked up by a car on Hillebrandt Road.
The vehicle was pulled over shortly after, and Valdez was found inside with another escapee according to the release.
The inmates were taken back to the prison, and Crayton returned to the facility on foot several hours later according to the release.
From a Department of Justice news release:
BEAUMONT, Texas – Two federal inmates have pleaded guilty to escape from a Bureau of Prisons facility in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.
Arnold Troy Crayton, 37, of Fort Worth, and Clemente Valdez, Jr., 36, of Dallas, each pleaded guilty to escape in separate hearings on Apr. 10, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.
According to information presented in court, on Jan. 12, 2019, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen near the Bureau of Prison Camp Facility in west Jefferson County reporting they had witnessed inmates crossing a pasture and getting picked up by a vehicle on Hillebrandt Road. A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over the vehicle shortly afterwards and found Valdez and another escapee inside. The inmates were transported back to the prison facility by law enforcement officers. Crayton returned to the facility on foot several hours later. All three inmates were indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 6, 2019.
“We will continue to prosecute these inmates for any escape from federal detention facilities, whether it is a ‘walk-away’ or not,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D, Brown. “What the inmates and their families need to understand is that anyone who helps in the escapes – drives a vehicle, provides a cell phone, takes any part in it - will also face federal charges. We are serious about stopping these violations.”
Crayton was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison in 2014 for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and has been in a federal prison facility since 2002. Valdez was sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison in 2012 for conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Valdez was also convicted of marijuana trafficking in 2003 and served state prison time in North Carolina for that offense.
Under federal statutes, Crayton and Valdez each face up to an additional 5 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.