Convicted Killer Stacy Huggins Escapes Work Detail in Georgia
URGENT UPDATE: A convicted killer has been on the run in Georgia for the past five days after escaping from his work detail. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is urgently seeking the public’s assistance to locate Stacy Huggins, who slipped away from his assigned job site in Hephzibah on July 15.
Huggins, currently in transitional housing, reported to his work site last Thursday but vanished without a trace. Authorities stated that he left his post on foot in an unknown direction and did not return. The sheriff’s office confirmed the escape in a Facebook post on Tuesday, prompting widespread concern among local residents.
Residents near the work site expressed frustration over the lack of prompt notifications regarding Huggins’ escape. “That should have been an immediate alert put out to everybody. He could be anywhere in this town,” said local resident Deborah Clement. Another resident, Ralph Graham, questioned the decision to allow Huggins to participate in a work detail, stating, “I don’t know what a murderer is doing on a work detail either. That doesn’t sound good.”
The urgency of the situation escalates, particularly for families in the area. Tracy Hyland, who operates a local daycare, remarked, “We go outside all the time… Had we known that there was somebody, then we absolutely would not have gone outside.”
The sheriff’s office has since mobilized resources to locate Huggins and has contacted the U.S. Marshals for assistance. The Georgia Department of Corrections reported that Huggins had been in transitional housing for the past nine months and was working at a lumber company. They emphasized that these centers are the lowest security level facilities, where offenders are expected to meet strict guidelines.
“Unfortunately, Inmate Huggins chose not to take advantage of this opportunity by walking away from his place of employment; therefore, we have dedicated resources toward swift action and recapture,” stated a department representative.
Local officials are urging anyone with information on Huggins’ whereabouts to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office immediately. The community remains on high alert as they await further updates on this developing situation.
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue their search for the escaped inmate. This incident raises critical questions about public safety and the management of convicted offenders in transitional programs.
