An officer with the Florida Department of Corrections has resigned in the wake of the recent escape of an inmate from work detail in Pasco County.
"By working closely with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, we were able to quickly identify a discrepancy reported to us by Officer [Henry] Blackwelder and what actually took place," DOC Secretary Mike Crews said in a statement.
Officials said the preliminary reports indicate the officer's account of the situation did not match the evidence gathered by Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco and his investigators.
"When confronted with this information, Officer Blackwelder submitted his resignation," Crews said.
Officials said a memo has been sent to all DOC wardens, ordering supervisors and staff who oversee inmate work squads to immediately review procedures related to inmate accountability and public safety.
Blackwelder's resignation comes three days after Jason Adams, a 27-year-old inmate at Sumter Correctional Institution, walked away from work detail off State Road 54.
Officials said Adams asked to go to the bathroom in the woods but never came back. He was captured the following day while riding a bicycle in Hillsborough County.
Nocco said he supported the department's actions.
"We support the Florida Department of Corrections in their actions to hold their members accountable and we will continue to investigate this matter with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement," he said in a statement. "The protection of our citizens is paramount and the pending results of our investigation will enhance their safety in the future."