Two escape from Virginia prison, including man charged with killing a deputy sheriff

Two inmates escaped from a Virginia jail over the weekend, prompting a nationwide search for the two men, according to authorities. One of the inmates is suspected of being involved in the murder of a North Carolina deputy sheriff in 2022. 

Alder Marin-Sotelo, 26, and Bruce Callahan, 44, escaped from the Piedmont Region Jail in Farmville, Virginia, about 70 miles west of Richmond, according to the Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Department. 

Surveillance footage caught Marin-Sotello jumping over the prison’s fence at around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday. Four hours later he was seen getting into a car in the parking lot, according to the criminal complaint. The sheriff’s department was notified about the disappearance of the two men at around 4 a.m. on Monday.

Marin-Sotelo is convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, while Callahan is convicted of multiple federal drug charges, the sheriff’s department said. 

Marin-Sotelo is also being accused of taking part in the murder of deputy Ned Byrd of the Wake County Sherrif’s Department in North Carolina. He was indicted on murder charges in August of last year along with his brother, Arturo Marin-Sotelo. They both pleaded not guilty. 

"We are working with our state and federal partners, as well as local authorities in Virginia to ensure all resources are being used to bring the defendant back into custody," said the Wake County Sheriff’s Department. 

Federal, state, and local officials are conducting a nationwide search for the two inmates. The U.S. Marshals announced a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of Callahan and a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Marin-Sotelo. 

Marin-Sotelo’s sister, Adriana Marin-Sotelo, has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the escape of the two men. The sister allegedly paid someone $2,500 to leave a car—a red 2000 Ford Mustang—in the prison’s parking lot for her brother to use in his escape.