By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Jan 9, 2015, 15:51
PRINCE GEORGE — An inmate at Riverside Regional Jail pleaded guilty in Prince George Circuit Court to charges stemming from an attempted escape plan.
Harry Brantley Jr., 26, also known as the “Paper Bag Bandit,” was charged with possession of a deadly weapon and attempted escape from confinement, both class 6 felonies in Virginia. Brantley agreed to a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty in order for the reduced sentence of a combined two years.
Brantley was serving time at the jail for several crimes in the Prince George and Hopewell area, which included attempted murder and malicious injury after attempting to rob the owners of K&L Barbeque, as well as the robbery of a McDonald’s in 2011.
On May 6, 2014, officers at the jail conducted a cell search where two metal cutting tools were found inside of Brantley’s cell. The tools both had serrated edges and were hidden in Brantley’s possessions. One of the tools was found in Brantley’s shoe, and the other inside a piece of mail. Both of the pieces were between four and six inches in length, and one showed signs of usage. After further inspection of the cell, officers found that one of the bars in the perimeter window in the cell had been cut in two places.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Mark Barnard introduced these two objects as evidence in court, along with a letter found in Brantley’s cell.
The letter was written by Brantley to a friend outside of the jail, which he wrote: “I’m escaping soon probably in the next week or so.” A map of the outside of the jail was also found in the cell amongst Brantley’s possessions.
After being taken into custody, Brantley told officers he was planning to escape but had stopped using the tools on the bars once his new cellmate had arrived. When asked by officers why he thought he would get away with it, Brantley replied: “It’s people on the run that ain’t been found yet, I know how to not be found.”
Brantley entered a guilty plea on both counts against him. He was sentenced to five years with three suspended for possession of a weapon in a correctional facility. For the charge of attempting to escape Brantley was given five years with all suspended, leaving his sentencing for these charges at two years, which will be added on to his current sentence.
