By Emiley Morgan
Deseret Morning News
SALT LAKE CITY — A foiled prison escape plot involving an inmate and three accomplices led to an indictment Thursday on charges of escape and conspiracy to escape.
The escape attempt allegedly was set to take place on Sept. 28 when Douglas Francom was to be transported from the Cache County Jail to the Salt Lake County Jail. According to the indictment, Francom called one of the accomplices from the jail and directed them to leave his truck at the southbound off-ramp of I-15 and 3300 South in Salt Lake City, just blocks from the jail. Prosecutors say he planned to use that as a getaway vehicle that day.
Francom gave his accomplices a 90-minute window in which they were to drop off the truck with the keys, a cell phone and $500 inside, the indictment states. He also gave them an order to go retrieve the truck if he was unable to make his escape.
The plot was inadvertently spoiled by Francom’s daughter who, concerned that her father was suicidal, asked that her father be put on suicide watch. On that day, prison staff had to physically change Francom into suicide-prevention clothing. While they were changing Francom, they found four homemade handcuff keys taped to the inside tongue of his shoes, the indictment states.
Prison personnel then listened to phone calls Francom had made that day, including one that allegedly outlined the escape plan. Police were able to locate the truck and apprehend two of the accomplices when they arrived to pick up the truck. A third accomplice is still considered at-large, the indictment states.
Francom is now facing one escape charge and, along with his three accomplices, one charge of conspiracy to escape.
Copyright 2009 The Deseret News Publishing Co.