NYS Governor Offers Reward For Info Leading to Arrest of Escaped Inmates

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of escaped Clinton Correctional Facility inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat. Both individuals are considered to be a danger to the public and anyone with possible information or with knowledge of unusual activity should immediately contact the State Police at 518-563-3761.

In total, $50,000 will be awarded for information directly leading to the apprehension and arrest of each inmate, Richard Matt and David Sweat.

As of Sunday afternoon:

More than 250 law enforcement and corrections officials are actively engaged in the search, including more than 100 New York State Police investigative and specialty unit personnel.

Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers are assisting to ensure a thorough grid search of the ground is completed.

New York State Police are continuing to coordinate with local, state and federal partners including the FBI and U.S. Marshals.

The New York State Police aviation unit is assisting in the search from the air.

Matt and Sweat were first unaccounted for during a 5:30 a.m. bed check on Saturday, and executed an elaborate escape plan to penetrate the prison walls and security that includes cutting through metal pipes and walls using power tools.

Richard Matt, 48 years old, a white male, 6' tall, 210 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes. He has tattoos on back "Mexico Forever", a heart on his chest and left shoulder, and a marine corps insignia on his right shoulder.

David Sweat, 34 years old, white male, 5'11" tall, 165 pounds, brown hair and green eyes. He has tattoos on his left bicep and his right fingers.

Sweat is serving a sentence of life without parole following his conviction in Broome County for one count of Murder 1st Degree after he caused the death of a Broome County Sheriff's Deputy on July 4, 2002. Sweat was transferred to Clinton Correctional on October 30, 2003.

Matt is serving a sentence of 25 years to life following his conviction in Niagara County for three counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping, and two counts of robbery after he kidnapped a male victim and caused his death by beating him on December 3, 1997. Matt was transferred to Clinton Correctional on July 10, 2008. 

Investigators think a woman who worked with Richard Matt and David Sweat at the Clinton Correctional Facility planned to pick the convicted killers up after they escaped but changed her mind at the last minute, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN. Joyce Mitchell was an industrial training supervisor at the Clinton County Correctional facility and responsible for inmate work assignments at the tailoring department in the prison. Mitchell reportedly went to a hospital this weekend because of panic attacks.

Mitchell is one of several prison employees who has been questioned in the case. She has given a statement and is being "somewhat cooperative," a source said. She has not been charged.

Her cell phone was used to call several people connected to Matt, another source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN. It's unclear who made the calls or when the calls were made. Authorities are trying to determine whether Mitchell was aware her phone was being used.

Both Sweat and Matt are considered to be a danger to the public. If located DO NOT approach them. Contact 911 or the New York State Police immediately at (518) 563-3761.