Clovis inmates charged with escape try

CLOVIS, N.M. (KREZ-KRQE) - Four inmates from the Curry County Detention Center have been charged for an attempted escape last month.

Guadalupe Urquizo, Brandon Wagner, Rico Sena and Michael Padilla are accused of conspiracy, criminal damage, escape from jail and possession of a deadly weapon for their alleged actions at the Clovis facility on Feb. 21.

Urquizo, described as the apparent ringleader, is no stranger to a prison cell.

“He’s been prosecuted by our office and actually already sentenced to 28 years in the Department of Corrections for stabbing two guards, and he was found guilty by a jury of attempted murder," 9th Judicial District Attorney Matthew Chandler said.

Investigators said the prisoners tore a metal desk from the wall of one of their cells and used it to smash through the cell.

Once out and armed with shanks--homemade knives--the inmates reportedly chased a guard down a hallway before the guard was able to escape to safety.

The four then used the broken desk to try and smash a window, according to investigators. When that didn't work, they attempted to dig through the roof with the shanks.

That's when officers arrived and the four inmates surrendered.

Because the four's actions are related, Chandler said the cases will be tried together.

“A clear message needs to be sent again and again to those inmates that if they act unruly and cause problems like they have done, they will continue to get the maximum punishment," he said.

A county investigation into the escape attempt found the jail was severely understaffed and workers were inexperienced. The jail's administrator and several staff members quit after the escape attempt.

The Curry County Sheriff's Department is currently overseeing the facility until a new administrator can be brought in. That’s expected to happen in April.