Three people charged with aiding two inmates' escape from Stoddard County jail

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- As a Dexter man is back behind the jail bars he allegedly escaped from earlier this week, charges were filed Wednesday morning against three for their roles in helping the man, as well as another inmate, escape.

John "Kacy" Jones, 37, and Manuel Ajanel, 24, of Dexter, allegedly escaped from the Stoddard County Jail through an air conditioning duct in the cell block area at about 10:30 p.m. Monday.

"We developed some information (indicating Jones) might be hiding out at some relatives' house in Piggott, Ark.," explained Chief Deputy Tommy Horton. "We contacted Clay County authorities. They contacted the people (and) assisted in his apprehension" at the Piggott residence, just before 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Jones said Horton signed extradition papers before a Clay County judge.

"I transported him back to our facility yesterday afternoon at about 4 o'clock " Horton said. "He is back in custody. The other gentleman (Ajanel) is still at large. We're pursuing a few leads, but have nothing solid right now to report."

Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn filed a Class D felony of escape

against Sherry Lee Grimm, 36, and Crystal Jones, 29, both of Dexter, and Matthew B. Ryan, 25, of Bloomfield, Wednesday morning.

The complaint on file with the court alleges on Monday Grimm "aided and encouraged the escape of Manuel Ajanel by providing him with transportation to Memphis, Tenn."

On Tuesday the sheriff's department received information indicating Grimm allegedly transported Ajanel "from Dexter to Sikeston and then from Sikeston, Mo., to Memphis," Deputy Justin Hockersmith said in his probable cause affidavit. "Sherry Lee Grimm

had information that Manuel Ajanel had escaped from jail prior to dropping him off at Memphis, Tenn."

Ajanel who was in jail on an unclassified felony of forcible rape is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 130 pounds with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes.

Ajanel was to appear in court at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp for a review of his case.

The complaint against Crystal Jones alleges she provided John Jones with a vehicle cellular telephone and a pair of shoes.

"On Tuesday May 20 2008, the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department received a call from Crystal Jones, who wanted to report her car stolen," Deputy Hank Trout said in his probable cause affidavit. "During the investigation Crystal admitted that she had lied about her car being stolen and admitted that around 11:30 p.m. her husband John Kacy Jones had escaped from the Stoddard County Jail and came to their house and she gave him the keys to the car his cell phone and a pair of shoes. Crystal admitted that after Kacy left their house she did not contact law enforcement and made a false stolen vehicle report."

The vehicle, a silver 2004 Hyundai Sonata with Arkansas registration, was registered to Jones' relatives in Arkansas, Horton said. "It was at the residence when Jones was apprehended and left down there," he said.

The complaint against Ryan alleges he provided Jones with transportation from Bloomfield

to Dexter.

After deputies received information Tuesday indicating Ryan gave Jones a ride "I conducted an interview with Matthew and he admitted that he did give John Kacy Jones a ride to Dexter to his wife's house," Deputy Andrew Holden said in his probable cause affidavit.

Grimm is being held in the Stoddard County Jail on $75,000 cash bond, while Crystal Jones and Ryan are being held on $50,000 cash bond.

Escape charges were expected to be filed against Jones and Ajanel by Welborn Wednesday.

Jones, who was arrested late last week in a countywide drug sweep, was being held on $150,000 cash bond. He is charged with two felony counts of distribution of a controlled substance (marijuana).

At the time of his arrest Jones was on probation and being supervised by Probation and Parole.

Jones was convicted on Dec. 21, 2005 of distribution of a controlled substance in Stoddard County according to a Probation and Parole official.