Merced County Public Defender employee allegedly helped inmate escape

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A program which allows employees in the public defender's office to drive their jailed clients to and from rehab facilities has been suspended in Merced County.

The move came after the arrest of a public defender's office employee. He's accused of letting an inmate get out of his van and giving him a head start before reporting anything to authorities.

Hundreds of inmates are serving time in Merced County's two jails, but some of them are allowed outside the walls for the chance at a brighter future. For years, the public defender's office has driven its clients to rehabilitation facilities. But now, one employee is accused of abusing that trust. Deputies say interviewer Steven Haywood was bringing three inmates back from a drug treatment program in San Francisco on Wednesday when he made a deal to let one of them go.

"Whatever negotiations or conversations transpired was to help aid John Fuentes escape and not return to custody," said Deputy Delray Shelton.

Investigators say Haywood dropped Fuentes off near the intersection of Buhach and Ashby in Atwater. He then drove more than 15 miles to the John Latorraca Correctional Center with the two other inmates before finally reporting the escape.

"The question in our mind and I'm sure for the general public is why, why did this happen? We do know there were no threats made at this time, or nothing agreed upon in exchange for his release," said Shelton.

Deputies say Haywood has admitted to his role in this escape, and now they're looking into a similar case back in May. Michael Mirabal also got out of Haywood's vehicle in the same spot as Fuentes. Both men have long criminal histories and were considered a danger to the public. They were caught shortly after their escapes, and Haywood was fired the day after his arrest.

Now the public defender's office has suspended its transportation program. No one there was available for comment, but Shelton says meetings are planned to discuss other options.

Inmates Fuentes and Mirabal are now back in jail. Haywood was released on bail Thursday morning.