UPDATE: Escaped inmates captured in Illinois

The Brillion News

PORTAGE - The Columbia County Sheriff's Department gave a public alert on Thursday, April 16, after two inmates at the Columbia Correctional Facility (CCI) escaped.

UPDATE: The two inmates who escaped from Columbia Correctional Institution (CCI) on Thursday, April 16, are back in custody.

Thomas E. Deering, and James R. Newman were captured in Rockford, Illinois and taken into custody by the Rockford Police Department on the morning of April 17. Newman and Deering escaped CCI on the morning of April 16, 2020 by scaling the perimeter fences.

Deering had been incarcerated since 2001, and Newman since 2011. Both had escape histories, and were subsequently housed in the maximum security facility.

Although CCI had been on limited and restricted movement since March 21, due to COVID-19 concerns, limited movement for essential functions of the institution were still allowed at the time the escape occurred.

Kevin A. Carr, Department of Corrections Secretary said: “I am extremely pleased that the authorities have arrested these two individuals who represented a threat to public safety. I am grateful for the professionalism and hard work of the Rockford Police Department, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal's Office, the FBI and all other law enforcement agencies involved in the safe apprehension of these fugitives.”

The two were considered dangerous, and one had ties to Suamico in Brown County.

James Newman was found guilty of six charges of discharging a firearm in 2009 in Brown County. At the time, he lived in Suamico, north of Green Bay, but had ties to Texas as well.

James Newman photo >>