Fayette Man Sentenced After Escaping Work Release

FAYETTE, AL — A Fayette County man will serve 20 years in prison after escaping the custody of a work release program in July.

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District Attorney Andy Hamlin said Daniel Wayne Beard, 36, pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced under the state's Habitual Offender Act due to three prior felony convictions.

A charge of permitting or facilitating first-degree escape is also pending against Georgia native Trina Renae Padgett, 37, as she stands accused of driving the truck that Beard escaped in from Fayette County High School on July 12, where he was among a group of inmates on work release who cleaned the school over summer break.

The two were eventually apprehended in Georgia.

“Everyone with our local agencies mobilized immediately. Working together, were able to quickly track these suspects and get the word out to law enforcement in surrounding areas,” District Attorney Andy Hamlin said. “The Dade County Sheriff’s Office deputies did a fantastic job locating the suspect vehicle and safely taking both offenders into custody. I’m grateful to the many people who were instrumental with this swift response.”

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