From WRIL -
On Tuesday evening January 19, 2021, a short time after 6:00pm a trustee at the Claiborne County Jail gained access to a dispatchers' vehicle and escaped custody.
22 year old Doug Payne had been in custody since December 16, 2020 on probation violations for vandalism and burglary charges. A judge recently remanded Payne to serve four years on his violations.
Payne is said to have traveled to his home where he left the stolen vehicle and took another vehicle - a gold Jeep Grand Cherokee with Tennessee tags - belonging to a family member. He left the residence headed in an unknown direction. Police say the Jeep has a malfunctioning tail and headlight.
Douglas Payne is 6' tall, 145lbs, medium build, with short brown hair.
If you have seen him or the vehicle matching the description, do not approach, call 911 or the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office at 423-626-6262.
Sheriff Bob Brooks tells us he does not consider Douglas Payne dangerous.
Payne is now facing auto theft and escape charges which could carry between 3 to 10 years according to Tennessee sentencing guidelines.