Attempted Henrico Jail East escapees slapped with additional two years of jail time
A failed attempt to escape Henrico Jail East in New Kent has resulted in two men each receiving an additional two years in jail.
Frank Edward Wilson Arthur, 35, and Clayton Douglas Musselman, 29, both of Henrico Jail East, accepted plea agreements as part of July 10 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. Both men entered guilty pleas to one count each of attempted escape by a prisoner and damaging property to escape while being a prisoner. One charge of possession of tools to escape jail was dropped as part of the plea deal.
In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory, shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Apr. 18, officers at Henrico Jail East were conducting nightly inspections when an inmate notified them that Arthur and Musselman had fled. The two defendants climbed a chain-linked fence into the recreation area to began their attempted escape. After successfully gaining access to that area, they picked up two aluminum benches and placed them across the first of two fences surrounding the facility. The two men went over that fence, with Arthur successfully clearing it. Musselman, however, was caught up on barbed wire at the top of the fence.
As Arthur attempted to climb the second fence, jail deputies arrived, ordering both men down. Both men complied and were treated at a hospital due to lacerations sustained from the barbed wire.
During the investigation interview, Arthur confessed that he had a list of contacts he planned to call to assist him if he escaped and that he and Musselman were attempting to go to Canada. Musselman declined comment during that interview.
Under the plea deal, both men received a five-year jail sentence with three suspended (two to serve) on the attempted escape conviction. All five years on the damaging property to escape charge against each defendant were suspended. According to Arthur, he believes he will serve eight to 12 years on charges stemming from other jurisdictions and probation violations. In addition to the two years imposed on him, Musselman is serving a three-and-a-half year prison sentence stemming from Feb. 14 grand larceny convictions handed to him by New Kent Circuit Court.