Authorities in Florida say an inmate is facing a new felony charge after allegedly leaving his assigned duties at a county jail event and disappearing for several minutes during the gathering.
According to the New York Post, 35-year-old Hartley Elliot Sanchez was arrested after deputies said he left his designated work area during a public barbecue event in Vero Beach to have sex in a porta-potty.
Sanchez, who is currently an unsentenced inmate at the Indian River County Jail, had been assigned to work at the annual barbecue as part of his duties as a jail trustee.
During the event on Wednesday, Sanchez was helping serve food before he allegedly walked away from his post, according to the arrest report obtained by CBS12.
Investigators said he moved toward a boat display located near a row of portable toilets, where surveillance video showed Sanchez approaching two women in the area and speaking with them.
Authorities said one of the women then walked into a portable toilet.
Moments later, Sanchez allegedly followed her inside after appearing to check whether anyone nearby was watching.
Investigators wrote that the two later exited the portable toilet separately.
Deputies later questioned Sanchez about what had happened during the time he was away from his assigned position.
In the report, it states that Sanchez admitted to having sex with the woman inside the portable toilet.
It further states that Sanchez even encouraged investigators to review the security footage, allegedly telling them to “look at the video.”
After examining the surveillance footage and comparing it with jail booking photos, authorities said they determined the woman involved had previously been incarcerated.
Officials later confirmed she was a former inmate.
Following the incident, Sanchez was formally charged with one count of prisoner escape or attempted escape under Florida Statute 944.40.
Under the law, inmates who step outside their assigned work area while still in custody can be charged with escape or attempted escape.
Authorities said Sanchez is currently being held without bond as the case proceeds.
