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3w ago

Two Inmates Arrested After Alleged Drone-Assisted Escape Plot at St. Johns County Jail

Sheriff's investigators say surveillance video, recorded calls and a post‑Miranda confession link damaged cell fixtures and requests for a saw blade, phone and narcotics to a planned drone delivery.

According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph Silcott, 20, and Joseph Izzi, 38, are accused of working together on an escape plot that investigators say involved breaking parts of their cell, making weapons, and trying to arrange outside help. Detectives filed charges on June 3, and both inmates were formally arrested on those new counts on June 22. (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office)
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph Silcott, 20, and Joseph Izzi, 38, are accused of working together on an escape plot that investigators say involved breaking parts of their cell, making weapons, and trying to arrange outside help. Detectives filed charges on June 3, and both inmates were formally arrested on those new counts on June 22. (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office)
{p}According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph Silcott, 20, and Joseph Izzi, 38, are accused of working together on an escape plot that investigators say involved breaking parts of their cell, making weapons, and trying to arrange outside help. Detectives filed charges on June 3, and both inmates were formally arrested on those new counts on June 22. (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office) {/p}
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph Silcott, 20, and Joseph Izzi, 38, are accused of working together on an escape plot that investigators say involved breaking parts of their cell, making weapons, and trying to arrange outside help. Detectives filed charges on June 3, and both inmates were formally arrested on those new counts on June 22. (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office)

Overview

  • Authorities formally arrested Joseph Silcott and Joseph Izzi on Monday, June 22, on new counts that include attempted escape, conspiracy, criminal mischief and multiple contraband charges.
  • Detectives say the case rests on surveillance footage, recorded inmate phone calls, sworn witness statements, photos of damage and a post‑Miranda confession from Izzi.
  • Searches found six metal objects including two sharpened pieces, a damaged combination sink/toilet pulled from the wall, and a broken cell window that created an outdoor opening.
  • Investigators say recorded calls show a request for a saw blade, a small ‘finger’ phone and narcotics to be flown through the broken window while inmates used a toothpaste‑soap‑toilet‑paper paste to hide the damage, and the probe into outside accomplices and any drone activity is ongoing.
  • Sheriff Rob Hardwick warned more charges are likely, and authorities highlighted that drone deliveries and tampering with jail plumbing and window panes are growing security risks that can lead to stiffer penalties for inmates and new enforcement steps by jails.