Four inmates charged with attempting an escape from the Minnesota Sexual Offender Program in Moose Lake on June 19 appeared in Carlton County Court this week.
Lloyd Anthony Hartleib, 42; Russell Lynn Norton, 42; Christopher Loyd Ivey, 39; and Steven Allan Housman, 55, had earlier been charged with one felony count each of escape from custody, with maximum sentencing guidelines of five years and/or $10,000. At that time, Carlton County Attorney Thom Pertler had asked that $50,000 bail be set for each man. Pertler explained because all are being held under a previous commitment, if any of them posted bail he would be returned to a sequestered area of the sexual offender facility. At the time of Monday's hearing, all four remained incarcerated at the Carlton County Law Enforcement Center.
At Monday's hearing, 6th District Chief Public Defender Fred Friedman informed Judge Dale Wolf that because his office is unable to take on the additional cases at this time, he has been in contact with State Public Defender John Stuart, who indicated that the state of Minnesota will come up with the money required to hire an attorney to represent all four of the men.
Wolf subsequently reset the hearing for Aug. 12.
According to the complaint filed in the incident:
ADVERTISEMENT
Moose Lake police Officer David Radzak was dispatched to the Minnesota Sexual Offender Program facility at 6:24 p.m. June 19 after a report came in of four inmates trying to escape by scaling the fences of the secure facility.
At that time, Radzak observed two males wearing black bandanas and sunglasses who were between the second fence and the final razor-wire perimeter fence. When Radzak commanded them to fall to the ground and lie face-down, they reportedly refused and yelled obscenities at Radzak and the center's staff.
Two other inmates involved in the escape attempt had not reached the second fence and were still within the courtyard area of the facility. The two were apprehended by staff, and the two who were between the second and final fence were apprehended as soon staff obtained a key to access the area.
