Akron Man Charged with Escape from Northeast Ohio Correctional Center

 Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Joe L. Fletcher III, 33, of Akron, with one count of escape. 

According to the indictment, on or about August 18, 2021, the Defendant allegedly escaped from custody in the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center.  The Defendant was detained pending trial for charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  The Defendant was apprehended by law enforcement officers with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force on August 20, 2021. 

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the Defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, USMS Violent Fugitive Task Force and Akron Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly.