BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jody Ladd Dellenback, 30, learned the hard way that even a short-lived bid for freedom comes with a steep price. The federal inmate pleaded guilty today to escaping custody, just over a mile from Raleigh General Hospital, according to United States Attorney Carol Casto.
The escape unfolded on August 25, 2016, when Dellenback bolted from his Bureau of Prisons escort following a medical examination at the hospital. Authorities wasted no time launching a manhunt, combing the area surrounding Raleigh General. The pursuit didn’t last long. Roughly two hours later, Dellenback was apprehended, discovered slightly over a mile from where he’d made his break.
This wasn’t a first-time offender simply looking for a walk in the fresh air. Dellenback was already serving an 18-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution at Beckley for the unauthorized use of a credit card – a charge that landed him behind bars in the first place. Now, his desperate attempt to regain freedom will likely add significant time to his stay.
The quick capture was the result of a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. The Federal Bureau of Prisons took the lead on the investigation, with crucial assistance from the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police. They moved fast, and Dellenback’s escape was short-lived.
Assistant United States Attorney John File is prosecuting the case, and Dellenback now faces up to an additional five years in federal prison on top of his existing sentence. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on February 8, 2017, before United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. A desperate gamble, a failed escape, and a likely longer stretch behind bars – that’s the reality facing Jody Dellenback today.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing. For updates, follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNews. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Bureau of Prisons in maintaining secure custody of inmates, even during routine medical appointments.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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