Federal Grand Jury Indicts Prison Escapee James Morales

PROVIDENCE, RI — James Morales, who escaped from the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls on New Year's Eve, has a new court date in Providence. A federal grand jury in Providence today returned an indictment charging Morales, 35, with escape from the custody of the Attorney General, according to U.S. Atty. Peter F. Neronha.

He was captured in Somerville, Mass., on Jan. 5 and returned to Rhode Island briefly to appear in federal court.

Now, he will be back before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m. when he will be arraigned on the indictment.

Here is the press release.

"It is alleged in the indictment that on Dec. 31, 2016, Morales escaped from the custody of the Wyatt Detention Facility in which he was confined by direction of the Attorney General and her authorized representative, by virtue of an Order of detention of a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Massachusetts.

"An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

"Escape from the custody of the Attorney General is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment followed by up to 3 years supervised and a fine of up to $250,000.