Charles Asher, Attempting to Escape Prison, North Carolina 2022

Attempt to Escape from Federal Prison Foiled in Butner, North Carolina

Raleigh, N.C. – In a shocking turn of events, Charles Asher, 62, a federal inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, pled guilty on Thursday to attempting to escape from the facility.

According to court documents, on September 14, 2020, Asher was discovered hiding in the bushes on the compound at approximately 9:00 p.m., near the exit door of the institution. At the time, he was required to be in his assigned housing unit, but instead, he was found with multiple unauthorized items, including a homemade rope, grey gloves, a blue mattress cover, and a homemade cardboard replica handgun wrapped with black electrical tape.

Asher's attempt to escape was met with swift action by authorities, and he is now facing the consequences of his actions. He pled guilty to the sole count of attempting to escape prison pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 751(a), which carries a maximum penalty of up to five additional years in prison.

Asher's sentencing is scheduled for the September 2022 term of court. If convicted, he could face a significant amount of time behind bars, a harsh punishment for his attempt to break free from the confines of the correctional facility.

The investigation into Asher's escape attempt is being led by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Brooks Storus prosecuting the case.

For more information on this case, related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-CR-00120-BO.

Asher's guilty plea is a stark reminder of the serious consequences of attempting to escape from a federal prison. The Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, is a secure facility designed to house federal inmates, and any attempt to break free will be met with swift and severe punishment.

Asher's name will be added to the list of individuals who have attempted to escape from federal prisons in the past. His case serves as a warning to others who may be considering similar actions, and it highlights the importance of maintaining order and security within our correctional facilities.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has made it clear that they will not tolerate any attempts to escape from federal prisons, and Asher's guilty plea is a testament to their commitment to upholding the law and keeping our communities safe.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/inmate-pleads-guilty-attempting-escape-federal-prison