Federal Convicted Felon and Alleged Accomplice Charged for Jail Escape

MACON, Ga. –  A recently convicted felon and a Central Georgia woman are facing federal charges alleging their participation in a Bibb County, Georgia, jailbreak on Oct. 16.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Nov. 14 charging Johnifer Dernard Barnwell aka “Whoop” aka “Malixe,” 37, of Macon, with one count of escape from custody and Janecia Green, 30, of Macon, with one count of aiding and abetting Barnwell’s escape from custody and one count of assisting escape of a person committed to custody. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

According to the indictment, Barnwell was being held in the Bibb County Jail on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) after he was convicted by a federal jury on Oct. 2 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin; and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base for which Barnwell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. A sentencing date has not been scheduled by the Court. In the indictment, Barnwell is alleged to have escaped the custody of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of Green.

Green had her initial appearance in Macon on Nov. 15 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Weigle of the U.S. Court for the Middle District of Georgia. She was held without bond and is scheduled to have a detention hearing on Nov. 21 to determine future bond status.

Barnwell had his initial appearance in Augusta, Georgia, on Nov. 13 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Epps of the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Georgia and was remanded to the custody of the USMS. The USMS will transport Barnwell back to the Middle District of Georgia for further court proceedings.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the case.