Inmate Escapes Galveston County Jail While Taking Out the Trash

GALVESTON, TX -- The search is underway for a Galveston County inmate who escaped from the Galveston County Jail Monday night.

Police said that Dominic Potter, 38, was in jail on a charge for forgery of a government document along with other parole violation charges.

Since Potter isn’t considered a violent offender, he was working in the kitchen.

Potter and another inmate, who were escorted by a detention officer, were throwing out trash at the back of the jail when Potter ran through an open gate that someone had just come through.

“The deputy turned to hit the button to make sure the guard shut the door and when he turned back around the inmate was running out the gate,” Galveston County Sheriff’s Department Spokeswoman Mary Johnson told KPRC. “Anytime someone leaves, of course, we are concerned. Of course, if anyone has information in reference to this we'd ask that they call the Sheriff's Office."

Potter was last seen wearing a blue jumpsuit in the 5700 block of Broadway in Galveston.

Potter is originally from Fort Worth, but investigators are not sure where he could be going.

Anyone with information about Porter's whereabouts were urged to call local law enforcement.

Image:Galveston County Sheriff's Office