Escapee sentenced to state prison
Waylon Hanlan is escorted to his preliminary hearing in Februray.
Waylon Hanlan Jr.
WAYNESBURG – The Dunkard Township man who escaped from Greene County jail in December – just months away from his release – was sentenced Tuesday to three to six years in state prison.
Waylon Hanlan, 28, pleaded guilty Tuesday to escape, conspiracy to escape, theft and receiving stolen property – all charges related to his escape from the county jail Dec. 27.
Hanlan was halfway through a nine-month sentence for a probation violation when he used a razor blade to cut a hole in a vinyl wall in a holding center at the jail. He placed a coat and blanket over the barbed-wire fence and climbed over, according to jail Warden Harry Gillispie, who explained the details of the escape during a prison board meeting in January.
Hanlan then stole a vehicle from a nearby residence and drove it about 15 miles to his family’s house, 859 Bald Hill Church Road, Dunkard Township.
He was arrested two days later along with his brother Clinton Hanlan, 21, who was charged with receiving stolen property and hindering apprehension or prosecution for helping Waylon.
Other family members were also charged for assisting in Waylon’s escape.
As part of his sentencing, Greene County Judge Lou Dayich ordered Waylon to pay $768 in restitution to Greene County, which reimbursed the owner of the stolen vehicle.
Clinton, whose bond was revoked Tuesday for unspecified reasons, is scheduled for plea court April 27 in connection with the escape charge, his court-appointed attorney, Patrick Fitch, said.