FLORIDA — A Florida inmate is facing additional charges after authorities say he briefly escaped custody during a public event to meet a woman for a sexual encounter.
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Hartley E. Sanchez of Vero Beach was arrested March 4 and charged with prisoner escape or attempted escape. Sanchez was already being held in jail on charges including resisting arrest, drug possession and theft.
Officials said Sanchez had been assigned to work the serving line during an Indian River County Sheriff’s Office barbecue event when he allegedly left his post without permission.
Investigators say Sanchez walked away from the food line and went toward a display area near portable toilets. Surveillance video showed him speaking with two women before one of them entered a portable toilet. Moments later, Sanchez looked around and followed her inside.
Authorities said Sanchez later admitted during an interview that he had sex with the woman inside the portable toilet. Investigators determined the woman involved was a former inmate of the jail.
Sanchez is currently being held at the Indian River County Jail on $25,000 bail.
