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Third escaped inmate captured in Augusta. Who is Johnifer Barnwell?

Barnwell was one of four inmates who escaped from the Bibb County Jail in October.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Three of the four inmates who escaped from the Bibb County Jail on Oct. 16 have been captured after Johnifer Barnwell was found in an Augusta home on Sunday morning. 

Who is Johnifer Barnwell?

 Barnwell was initially arrested after evidence from the FBI suggested he was a leader in a "drug trafficking organization." 

According to the FBI, they say that they screened Barnwell's phone calls and found Barnwell communicating with other members of his organization about drug runs and money owed. 

On Oct. 2 — only 14 days before his escape from the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center — a jury found him guilty on six counts of drug trafficking charges. 

Those other allegations about his role as a drug trafficking leader were not mentioned in his conviction. But they found him guilty on possession with intent to distribute drugs like fentanyl, heroin and meth.

While he has been found guilty, the U.S. Attorney's Office asked to delay Barnwell's sentence. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom argued that if Barnwell was sentenced to life in prison, he'd be more likely to use deadly force to avoid arrest.  

One inmate still remains at large. 52-year-old Joey Fournier, who is accused of murder, is the last of the four men who escaped from the Bibb County Jail on Oct. 16.

CONTINUING COVERAGE

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