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November 24, 2009

Wrong cousin released from Laurel jail

Man accidentally let go has yet to be found

By Carl Keith Greene / Staff Writer

An apparent mix-up of cousins at the Laurel County jail Saturday ended with the wrong cousin departing — and the man accidentally released has yet to be found by law enforcement.

Wesley Whitman, who had been jailed after he was apprehended on a warrant from another area, was supposed to be bailed out, stated a press release from the jail.

His cousin, Nicholas Whitman, in jail on unrelated charges, was “inadvertently released from this facility,” according to the release.

Nicholas Whitman was awaiting trial for allegedly making methamphetamine, first-degree trafficking in controlled substances and possessing a controlled substance. He had been jailed on Oct. 14 and his next court appearance is set for Dec. 21.

The jail statement said Nicholas posed as Wesley, who was to be released on bond.

After the incident, Wesley was charged with second-degree escape, according to the jail’s booking department, although no explanation of why was given to a reporter. As of press time, Wesley was still being held at the jail.

It all started when James Reed, of Big Stone Gap, Va., came to bail Wesley out.

Wesley was the boyfriend of Reed’s daughter, Reed explained.

Reed said he arrived in London at the jail at about 3 p.m. Saturday and began the transaction.

The amount needed to bail Wesley out was $709, Reed said. He was told, he said, he had to produce the money in particular denominations.

Once the money was paid he had to wait until visiting time at about 5 p.m., he said.

He was sent to the rear of the jail to await the release.

When he got back there he waited in his car, then Nicholas walked on by, he said.

Reed said the deputy jailer came to him and said, “I let the wrong one loose, didn’t I?”

He added, “That boy was gone. They had a bunch of people running around out there.”

Soon the area was overflowing with law officers including state police, Reed said.

Three times, Reed said, jail employees told him the mix-up was not their fault and told him they were going to release Wesley. They didn’t.

Nicholas had not been located by Monday afternoon.

Reed said he was not issued a receipt for the bail money he had paid.

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