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Inmate in custody after walking away from Barton County Jail
new slt escapee Lee W Dean



This story has been updated.


An inmate who walked away from the Barton County Jail sometime Sunday night was back in custody by 11:40 a.m. Monday.
Lee W. Dean, 23, who was being held for probation violation, was located in the southeast part of Great Bend and 201 Plum St., Sheriff Brian Bellendir announced in a news release.
“(Dean) was taken into custody without incident,” Bellendir said. “A second subject at the location was taken in the custody for questioning; charges are pending further investigation.”
Dean had been assigned to food services as an inmate worker at the time of his escape. Around 10:55 p.m. Sunday, the staff at the detention center became aware that an inmate worker was not in his cell. After a head count was taken, it was evident that Dean had walked away from the jail.
The sheriff’s office issued an all points bulletin and conducted a sweep of the area around the jail as soon as Dean was discovered missing. A press release was issued a short time later; it included Dean’s book-in photograph and physical description, and what he was last seen wearing – orange jail-issue shorts and a white T-shirt.
 Officers worked all night following tips and citizen reports of possible locations of the suspect, and one of those reports led them to the Plum Street address.
“Dean had been out of the facility for about 12 hours and 40 minutes before his capture,” Bellendir said. “It is expected that Dean will face further charges for escaping from custody, as well as the original charges for which he was incarcerated. A full criminal investigation is under way.
“A complete review of inmate worker policies is being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office and adjustments will be made to prevent any further incidents,” Bellendir added.
According to the Kansas Department of Corrections website, Lee Walter “Bo” Dean was released in February 2012. He has used the alias BIK. His previous convictions include felony theft of services in 2008 and aggravated assault in 2009, both in Montgomery County; and aggravated assault and intimidation of a witness, which both occurred Dec. 14, 2012, in Barton County.