Jail escapee back in custody after a week on the lam, sheriff says

A Chicago man who allegedly slipped out of the Cook County jail by swapping paperwork with another detainee after bond court last weekend is back in custody.

Cook County sheriff’s deputies apprehended Jahquez Scott shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday in the bedroom of a home on the 3600 block of West Augusta in Humboldt Park, according to the sheriff’s office. The FBI assisted with his apprehension.

Judge David Navarro today ordered Scott held without bail on a charge of escape by a felon.

During a court hearing on May 2, a judge ordered Scott held in lieu of $50,000 bail on a charge of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon on parole. During the same court session, the judge ordered 28-year-old Quintin Henderson to be released on his own recognizance on a narcotics violation.

Jahquez Scott (left) and Quintin Henderson | Cook County Sheriff’s OFfice

While Scott and Henderson were awaiting post-court processing, Scott promised to pay Henderson $1,000 to swap their processing paperwork, the sheriff’s office said in a statement last week.

Prosecutor Kevin DeBoni said today that Scott traded his hoodie with a third inmate’s coat and then used Henderson’s identifying information to present himself as Henderson to jail workers. Scott later picked up Henderson’s belongings from staff and walked out. He was gone by the time jail workers realized what happened. 

After his arrest on Saturday, Scott told sheriff’s police investigators that he offered another detainee $500 to swap personal information, according to the sheriff’s office. DeBoni said Scott told investigators the identity swap was Henderson’s idea.

The FBI was offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to Scott’s apprehension.

Prosecutors last week charged Henderson with aiding and abetting escape.

Please support CWBChicago’s reporting efforts with a monthly or annual subscription. Members-only perks await!

About CWBChicago 5994 Articles
CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com