- October 6, 2024
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A Flagler Sheriff's Office deputy has resigned after a preliminary investigation revealed he was likely sleeping when an inmate escaped his custody on July 27.
Former FCSO Deputy Tyrique Harper was assigned to guard inmate Anthony Romine, 29, who was brought to the hospital after he fell at the county jail. Witnesses of the escape indicated Harper was likely sleeping when Romine — who was also not properly restrained — escaped the State Road 100 AdventHealth hospital.
The escape sent the hospital into lockdown, followed by a seven-hour, "massive law enforcement search," according to an Aug. 2 Flagler County Sheriff's Office press release.
“Our review of this incident indicates there was a failure to follow policies that are designed to keep the community safe and an inmate in custody when they are taken to an outside facility for medical treatment,” FCSO Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge said.
Harper, who has worked at the FCSO since June 7, 2021, was placed on administrative duties on the day of the escape and resigned on July 30, ahead of the start of a formal internal investigation, the press release said. A criminal investigation into the escape is ongoing.
Romine took off on foot form the hospital and was tracked by FCSO's K-9 unit to the woods by the Amoco gas station near the southbound ramp at Interstate 95 and S.R. 100, where he was hiding under foliage.
“Fortunately, Romine was apprehended, and no additional crimes were committed by him in his escape attempt. Sheriff Staly expects all deputies will follow our policies and not sleep while on-duty," Strobridge said. "Our agency motto is ‘An Honor to Serve, A Duty to Protect,’ and that did not occur in this incident by Deputy Harper.”
Romine was originally arrested on July 3 on a felony warrant for petit theft, violation of release, and two counts of counterfeit, an earlier FCSO press release said. He was apprehended the second time with an additional felony warrant for his escape, as well as additional charges of battery on an officer and resisting without violence.
