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Law Agencies, Wakulla County Sheriff's Office Continue Search For Escaped Inmates

Wakulla County Sheriff's office
43-year-old Joel Cooper, 44-year-old Donald Cotterman, and 25-year-old Casey Brandon escaped from the Wakulla County jail early Friday morning.

Law enforcement agencies in the Florida Panhandle are helping Wakulla County Sheriff’s deputies as they continue to search for three inmates who escaped around midnight this morning. 

Investigators believe the three male inmates—one black and two white—were able to escape through the Law Library ceiling in the Wakulla County jail.

43-year-old Joel Cooper, 44-year-old Donald Cotterman, and 25-year-old Casey Brandon were in jail for burglary among other charges. Cotterman is also a registered sex offender.

The Wakulla County Sheriff’s office has sent out an alert to residents to be careful.                                             

“Exercise increased caution and remain alert. If you see these inmates, do not approach, and call the Wakulla County Sheriff’s office immediately.”

Anyone with information should call the sheriff’s office at 850-926-0800 or 850-745-7100. Wakulla County Schools are also closed.  

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.