Medical face masks may lower the risk of contacting the novel coronavirus, but they apparently also make it easy for people to pull a fast one on authorities by faking their identities.
This past weekend, 28-year-old Quintin Henderson was set to be released from the Cook County jail for a narcotics charge, but he instead decided to give his personal information to another inmate, 21-year-old Jahquez Scott, in exchange for a promise of $1,000.
As all inmates were required to wear face masks to prevent infection with the SarsCov-2 virus, jail staff say it was easy for Scott to use Henderson’s full name and personal information as his very own ‘get out of jail free card’.
“Scott, 21, wearing a mask, then used Henderson’s full name and personal information to pose as Henderson and left custody on Henderson’s I-bond,” the Cook County sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“Jail staff learned there was a discrepancy when they did not have Henderson’s paperwork when he provided his information for discharge. An internal investigation is being conducted, and a search is underway for Scott.”
“Jahquez Scott, who has a record for aggravated battery to a police officer, possession of a controlled substance, and criminal trespass, had a $50,000 bond for unlawful use of a weapon charge and was ordered to electronic monitoring IF he made bond.
For now, he’s roaming the streets a free man thanks in no small part to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As for Henderson, instead of leaving jail, he has been of assisting another inmate by allowing Scott to use his identity, and a bond for him has been set at $25,000.
According to the sheriff’s office, he was ordered held without bond on charges of violating his bail bond on his original narcotics case. So that $1,000 promise is not likely to materialize anytime soon.
The Cook County Sheriff’s office was ordered by a federal judge to provide face masks for all inmates during the coronavirus pandemic.
Latest Stories
-
Black Sea & Eastern Mediterranean Conference issues declaration for a multipolar world order
3 minutes -
When character crashes the brand: Why who you are will always show up in what you do
15 minutes -
CIMAG applauds Mahama and government for reviving Blekusu Sea Defence Project at Agavedzi
34 minutes -
My Quiet Contribution to Ghana’s Fiscal Policy: The Genesis of the Communication Service Tax and more
1 hour -
Osei Owusu Bempah calls for disciplinary clauses in GFA’s new player contract
1 hour -
Perseus releases land to government for artisanal and small-scale mining
1 hour -
BoG’s limited issuance of BoG bills reason behind substantial oversubscription of T-bills
2 hours -
Ghana to end use of soldiers for unofficial guard duties
2 hours -
Weija Gbawe MP denies resignation rumours linked to Bawumia’s flagbearer campaign
2 hours -
Scholarship Secretariat to partner CID to roll out crime-curbing strategy
2 hours -
Scholarship Secretariat boss pays courtesy call on IGP Yohuno
2 hours -
Bond market: Activities declined marginally to GH¢2.06bn
2 hours -
Man City star Jeremy Doku acquires citizenship with Ghanaian passport
2 hours -
Water crisis hit Sakumono, residents demand urgent action
2 hours -
IMF backs removal of COVID-19 levy as new tax reforms receive high approval rate
2 hours