U.S. Marshalls Offer $10,000 Reward For Missing Alabama Inmate, Officer
By Jason Hall
May 1, 2022
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering $10,000 for information leading to the capture of capital murder suspect Casey White and the location of Vicky White, a correctional offer who is reported "missing and endangered" in connection to White's escape from a northwest Alabama detention center last Friday (April 29).
Casey White, 38, and Vicky White -- who are not related despite sharing a last name -- were last seen leaving a detention center at around 9:40 a.m. last Friday, supposedly to appear at a courthouse, but never arrived, the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office confirmed to NBC News.
“Casey White is believed to be a serious threat to the corrections officer and the public,” said U.S. Marshal Marty Keely.
White was previously charged with two counts of capital murder in relation to the stabbing of Connie Ridgeway, 58, in September 2020 and had already been incarcerated for several other crimes committed in 2015, which include home invasion, carjacking and a police chase, U.S. Marshals confirmed to NBC News.
White had confessed to the murder of Ridgeway and was awaiting trial at the Lauderdale County Jail prior to his escape on Friday, the agency confirmed.
White is described as 6'9 and approximately 260 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes, according to U.S. Marshals.
Vicky and Casey White were reported to have left the detention center for a mental health evaluation at the court, however, Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton confirmed no such evaluation was scheduled at the time.
Vicky White, an employee of 25 years, also told a booking officer that she was going to a medical appointment after dropping off Casey White because she wasn't feeling well, however, Singleton confirmed no appointment had been scheduled at the time.
Vicky White also transported the suspect alone, which is a strict violation of policy as two sworn deputies are needed to transport a suspect with the charges that Casey White is facing, according to the sheriff.
The marked 2013 Ford Taurus patrol car that the two were reported to be traveling in was later found at a shopping center, the sheriff confirmed to NBC News.
Officers realized the two were missing at around 3:30 p.m. last Friday after repeated calls to Vicky White's phone went straight to voicemail and it was confirmed that she'd never returned to the detention center either.
Vicky White is reported to have had a 9mm firearm, but it's unknown whether any other weapons were present in the patrol vehicle at the time of the disappearance.
The sheriff said investigators were looking for any surveillance footage at the shopping center where the vehicle was located.
Investigators are working to determine whether Vicky White assisted Casey White in his escape, however, are still operating as if she was taken against her will until proven otherwise, Singleton confirmed, noting that she was "an exemplary employee."
“I do think this, knowing the inmate: I think she’s in danger, whatever the circumstances,” Singleton said Friday via NBC News. “He was in jail for capital murder.”