Freedom short-lived for WEC probationer

Red Willow County sheriff's officials captured a probationer about 15 minutes after he scaled the fence and walked away from the Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook Monday afternoon.

WEC Case Manager Kyle Clapp reported that WEC staff chased offender Rusty Richard after they saw him climb the perimeter fence at about 2:45 p.m. Local law enforcement was alerted, and sheriff's officers captured Richard in a field about one-half mile south of the facility about 15 minutes later.

The facility was secured, Clapp said, and an emergency head count was conducted. "After staff ensured that all offenders were accounted for, the Work Ethic Camp resumed normal activity about 4 p.m.," Clapp said.

Richard, 18, was sentenced in Buffalo County District Court to complete the 180-day WEC program as a condition of intensive supervision probation on a conviction as an accessory to a felony, a Class IIIA felony.

Richard will be returned to Buffalo County to await revocation of probation proceedings, Clapp said.