Father jailed for aiding escape

The father of one of the two men who escaped from the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center's work release barracks on Jan. 11 was arrested Friday on a felony count of hindering prosecution I and Sheriff Heath Jackson said his office is continuing its investigation to determine if other individuals aided the escapees.

Robert Ladale Pugh, 57, 1066 McGougin Road, Brewton, was jailed on $10,000 bond for rendering aid to his son, Christopher Ladale Pugh, 27, 1066 McGougin Road.

According to the arrest warrant filed by the sheriff's office, Robert Pugh is accused of providing his son with a cell phone and a blue hooded jacket following the escape.

Christopher Pugh and Christopher Blake Moye, 27, 510 Moye Drive, Brewton, both escaped from the work release barracks. Tracking dogs located Moye the following day in the Wawbeek area. Pugh was arrested the following day while walking down I-65 in Conecuh County only wearing his underwear.

Sheriff Jackson said Robert Pugh is accused of aiding his son by providing the cell phone and hooded jacket in the area of Brewton Iron Works soon after the escape.

Jackson also said the case remains under investigation and if investigators determine other individuals aided the escapees they will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"Anybody who participated and wants to come forward now, before we find out, needs to call the sheriff's office," Jackson said.

Christopher Pugh was in jail on charges of receiving stolen property I, burglary III and faced a probation violation on a previous arson II charge when he escaped. District Attorney Steve Billy said Pugh now faces a possible life sentence on the felony escape charge due to his prior felony convictions.

Moye was in jail on two counts of theft of property I, theft of property II and a violation of probation.

Billy said Moye is now facing a possible 10-year prison sentence on the balance of his theft convictions and another 20 years in prison for the escape.