A man who escaped from a Brunswick County Jail after posing as a relative has been charged — along with several members of his family — with animal cruelty.
William Earl Hewett, age 29, was helped by several family members after he escaped from jail on Jan. 29, Brunswick County Deputies say.
Hewett was eventually found hiding under a camper shell on his family’s property on Feb. 3, when 17 dogs of various breeds and one miniature horse were also found, officials say.
Many of the dogs were found at the family’s Trails End compound with no food, water or adequate shelter and some were tied with chains weighing as much as 26 pounds.
Several of the dogs were found to be in extremely poor health, suffering from mange and in need of veterinary care.
Now, in addition to the escape charges, Hewett is facing animal cruelty charges.
Also facing animal cruelty charges are: mom, Katherine Hewett Carter, stepfather, Earl Antonio Carter, an aunt, Tanna Lynn Hewett, and Curtis Wayne Hewett
All of the animals are currently being cared for and evaluated by the BCSAPS team.
The following were previously arrested in connection with the escape, Brunswick Deputies say:
, 43, who is charged with accessory after the fact, harboring a fugitive, escaping from a county or municipal facility (aiding and abetting Hewett in his escape from lawful confinement in the Brunswick County Detention Facility), and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1.5 million bond.
of Hewett is charged with felony harboring an escapee and accessory after the fact. He is also being detained in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1.5 million bond.
of Hewett, is charged with felony harboring an escapee, accessory after the fact, and possession of marijuana. He is being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1.5 million bond.
of Hewett, is charged with escaping from a county or municipal facility (aiding and abetting Hewett in his escape from lawful confinement in the Brunswick County Detention Facility), felony harboring and escapee, and accessory after the fact. She too is being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1.5 million bond.
is charged with felony harboring an escapee and accessory after the fact. He is being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1.5 million bond.
of Hewett, is charged with felony harboring an escapee and accessory after the fact. She is being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $1.5 million bond.
