Escaped Georgia Inmate and Accomplice Face Federal Charges

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia has announced federal charges against an escaped inmate and his alleged accomplice. Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, 37, and Janecia Green, 30, both from Macon, Georgia, are facing charges related to Barnwell’s escape from custody last month.

Barnwell, charged with one count of escape from custody, was apprehended in Augusta, Georgia, by a combined effort of the Bibb County Sheriff’s gang unit, the FBI, and their SWAT team. He was found in possession of large quantities of drugs. Barnwell was originally in Bibb County Jail awaiting sentencing for a federal narcotics conviction, expecting a substantial prison term.

The escape, which took place on October 16, involved Barnwell and three other inmates. They reportedly climbed out of a damaged window in a day room and fled through a cut fence. Surveillance footage showed a blue Dodge Challenger near the jail around the time of the escape, with an individual tampering with the fence.

Green, who allegedly assisted in the escape, faces one count of assisting the escape of a person committed to custody. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Authorities have not disclosed the specifics of Green’s involvement.

Of the four escapees, three, including Barnwell, have been apprehended. Chavis Demaryo Stokes was captured on October 26, and Marc Kerry Anderson on November 3. The fourth escapee, Joey Fournier, remains at large. Fournier was in jail on a murder charge related to the 2022 death of his ex-girlfriend.

Barnwell appeared in court in Augusta on November 13 and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service for transport back to the Middle District of Georgia for further proceedings. Green had her initial court appearance in Macon on November 15 and was held without bond. She is scheduled for a detention hearing on November 21 to determine her bond status.