MACON, Ga. — One of the four Bibb County inmates who allegedly escaped from the Bibb County jail on Oct 16 entered a not-guilty plea on Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
Last Tuesday, Barnwell appeared in the Middle District of Georgia for the first time since four inmates were accused of jumping down from a second-story dayroom window and leading authorities on a month-long manhunt.
Last week's hearing was focused on informing Barnwell of his charge and discussing who would represent him in his case.
The hearing on Monday was Barnwell's arraignment.
Unlike the other three escapees, Barnwell was the sole federal inmate and he had been convicted Oct. 2 — two weeks before the escape — on a number of drug and gun charges.
He was convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base. On those charges, Barnwell faces up to life in prison and a $10 million fine. On the charge of escape, he faces an additional five years in prison.
Barnwell's indictment also accuses Janecia Green of helping Barnwell's escape from jail. She also faces five years for her alleged role in helping Barnwell's time on the lam.
On the day of the escape, surveillance cameras at Green's apartment complex showed her leaving her home at around 3:17 a.m., an FBI affidavit shows. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office believes the inmates escaped around 3:30 a.m.
Then, at around 4 a.m., a car registered to Green was captured on a license plate camera on Highway 57 eastbound in Jones County. That highway heads towards Augusta and the South Carolina border.
Barnwell was ultimately found in a home in Augusta surrounded with pounds of drugs, including 64 pounds of Fentanyl, according to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
According to Bibb County Sheriff David Davis, Barnwell's connection with Green and Jacorshia Smith — who was also charged with aiding and abetting — would lead them to the Augusta home where Barnwell was captured.
He said that the pair were caught "swapping cars" while they were visiting Barnwell up in Augusta.
Barnwell appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Weigle. The case will be prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Joy Odom.