By Danielle Salisbury
Citizen Patriot, Jackson, Mich.
JACKSON, Mich. — Two men are charged with new felonies for attempting on Tuesday to break out of Jackson County’s jail facility on Chanter Road.
Magistrate Frederick Bishop arraigned Jason Wesch, 40, and his alleged accomplice, Christopher Tucker, 46, on Friday, June 29. Because of their lengthy criminal histories and the nature of their offense, he considered them flight risks and set their bonds at $250,000.
Placed in isolation since their failed run for freedom, they appeared by video from the downtown jail on W. Wesley Street in black and white stripes, now distinguishing them from most inmates in orange.
Both men are charged with escape or attempting to escape while in jail for a felony offense. This is punishable by a maximum of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Wesch also is charged with three additional felonies, malicious destruction of police or fire property, the fences at the county jail, also a four-year felony; automobile theft, punishable by not more than five years in prison; and assaulting, resisting or obstructing a sergeant and two corrections deputies, an offense carrying a top penalty of two years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
It was Wesch who allegedly threatened the driver of a Tigg’s Canteen Services van, at the jail for food delivery, and took the keys.
Tucker is accused of jumping in the passenger seat as Wesch headed for the fences. He allegedly used the van to break the interior barrier and tried to breach the perimeter fences. Damage, however, from the first breach disabled the vehicle, the sheriff’s office earlier reported.
Deputies intercepted the men at the main gated area. There was a struggle or an altercation and both were placed in custody, with the use of chemical spray and at least one Taser, according to the sheriff’s office.
Wesch has a long list of past offenses, mostly related to drugs and theft.
He was jailed May 17 and then faced several charges that included first-degree home invasion, retail fraud and possession of methamphetamine. These are pending. He also pleaded guilty in February to a drug offense and is to be sentenced on Aug. 15, according to court records.
Tucker, in jail since March 23, is accused of aggravated stalking, a felony, in March, and failing to stop at or report a March accident. These cases too are ongoing.
He was on probation at the time of his last arrest and was convicted in the last year of domestic violence and malicious destruction of a building, court and jail records show.
Bishop set a preliminary examination on the jail breach for July 11 before District Judge Michael Klaeren.
©2018 Citizen Patriot, Jackson, Mich.