Inmates escape Rutherford County Adult Detention Center

Teams of local and state officers are searching for two inmates who overpowered a detention officer and escaped about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday from the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, said Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh.

Dewayne Lee Halfacre, 43, of Lynchburg and Jonathan Cody Baxter, 28, of Geneses Lane in Murfreesboro, assaulted the detention officer, climbed over the razor wire and escaped, the sheriff said.

Sheriff’s deputies and Murfreesboro Police were searching throughout the area along with K-9 tracks and a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter. Detectives are investigating.

The detention officer was treated by Emergency Medical Services paramedics.

Both Halfacre and Baxter were last wearing white T-shirts and orange pants.

Halfacre is being held for aggravated assault and Baxter is being held for failing to appear in court on a theft charge.

If anyone spots the escapees, please call 911 immediately. Do not approach them. Please give a description of where they are located.

Also, if anyone has any information about their location, please immediately call the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at 615-898-7770.