UPDATE: Search for prison escapees to expand, Joyce Mitchell arrested

The New York State Police announced on June 16, 2015 that the search for escaped inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat is expanding and shifting to other areas surrounding Dannemora. Personnel will be redeployed to other areas based upon information gathered during the investigation. People in the region should expect to see law enforcement in their community as the search expands. 

State Troopers, along with Officers and Forest Rangers from the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Clinton, Franklin and Essex County Sheriff Departments and the Plattsburgh Police Department have searched over 16 square miles (10,228 acres) to date. All available assets continue to be deployed around the clock, including K9 and aviation units. More than 1,200 leads have been developed at this point in the investigation. 

In connection with this redeployment, patrolling of Route 374 east of Dannemora will change. The section of Route 374 that was closed to traffic in Cadyville will reopen tonight. The road closed last Wednesday after New York State Police K9 units picked up the scent of both suspects at different locations in a heavily wooded area adjacent to the road. This area has been extensively searched, and evidence recovered suggests that the escaped inmates may have spent time there.  The ground search of this immediate area will be scaled back but patrols will continue. Law enforcement personnel previously manning the roadblocks along the closed section of Route 374 will be shifted to other sectors.

The agencies involved in the search want thank the entire community for their patience and ongoing support. The State Police also want to thank all of our state, federal and local law enforcement partners, who continue to provide much needed manpower, equipment and expertise for this effort.

The public should not hesitate to report any suspicious activity including any signs of a trespass, burglary or vehicle larceny. Contact 911, your local law enforcement agency, or the New York State Police to report any information related to this investigation at (518) 563-3761 or 1-800-GIVETIP. Tips can also be sent by email to [email protected].

The New York State Police have arrested Joyce Mitchell, 51, of Dickinson Center, NY for providing material assistance to Richard Matt and David Sweat to assist them in escaping from Clinton Correctional Facility. Mitchell was charged with Promoting Prison Contraband 1st Degree, a class D Felony, and Criminal Facilitation 4th Degree, a class A misdemeanor.  Mitchell appeared in court on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 8:30 am in the City of Plattsburgh Court. The former prison employee is accused of helping David Sweat and Richard Matt escape and allegedly had affairs with Matt and Sweat inside the maximum-security prison. She'd been investigated in the past for an inappropriate relationship with Sweat that led corrections officials to move him out of the tailor shop in 2013 and keep them separated, said Clinton County District Attorney, Andrew Wylie. Then in 2013 Mitchell allegedly started her relationship with Matt while working in the tailoring shop.

Authorities are investigating whether the two inmates threatened Mitchell to force her to help, according to the New York state official. Investigators believe Mitchell began getting cold feet about executing the plan but possibly had agreed to be the getaway driver because of threats to her and her husband, the official said. Joyce Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to the two charges brought against her and has been talking to authorities. If convicted, she could face up to eight years behind bars.