More details released on case of trustee’s escape
On June 20, 2019, after an extensive investigation, New River Regional Jail trustee, Jeremy C. Bryan, 42, is back in custody. In addition to Bryan being arrested, two of his family members have also been charged for their roles in helping him escape earlier this week.
Shortly before 10:30 a.m. Friday (June 21), the Virginia State Police Wytheville Division received a tip on Bryan’s whereabouts. State police, with the assistance of the Town of Pulaski Police Department and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a residence in the 500 block of Bunts Street in the town of Pulaski. Upon law enforcement’s arrival, Bryan fled the residence on foot and was apprehended a short distance away without incident. Bryan was already facing one felony count of Escape Without Force (Code of Virginia 18.2-479); one count of Obstruction of Justice (Code of Virginia 18.2-460) and one felony count of Petit Larceny (Code of Virginia 18.2-96). Additional charges are pending.
It was approximately 12:16 p.m. Monday (June 17), when the Giles County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Virginia State Police with searching for Bryan who had escaped a work assignment in the 7800 block of Cleburne Blvd in Dublin. Bloodhound teams with the Virginia State Police and Christiansburg Police Department, along with personnel from the Giles County and Pulaski County sheriff’s offices responded to assist with Monday’s extensive search of the area. Several hours later the search operation was terminated after all leads were exhausted.
On Thursday (June 20), Virginia State Police arrested Pulaski County residents, Beverly Anne Nester and James Bryan, for their involvement in Bryan’s escape. Nester was charged with obstructing legal process (§18.2-409) and being a principle in the 2nd degree in aiding an escapee (§18.2-473). James Bryan was charged with obstructing legal process (§18.2-409), making a false statement to law enforcement (§18.2-460), and aiding an escapee (§18.2-473).