When he was supposed to be slinging hash at a sheriff’s barbecue, a Florida prisoner instead slinked off to have sex with a woman in a portable toilet, according to police.
Hartley Elliot Sanchez, 35, is now facing a felony prisoner escape charge after police said he wandered away from his duties for a secret dalliance, according to an arrest report from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office obtained by The Smoking Gun.
Sanchez — a Vero Beach resident who was awaiting trial on drug possession and theft charges — was assigned to serve food at the sheriff’s annual barbecue on March 4 when things took a turn.
The inmates brought in to assist with the event, described as trustees, had been expressly forbidden from leaving their work area without permission, and bathroom visits required an escort.
Despite this, Sanchez left the serving area at around 5:30 p.m., according to the report.
A few minutes later, surveillance footage showed him talking to two unknown women nearby. One of the women then entered into a porta-potty about 150 feet away from the serving area, and Sanchez followed her inside “after checking if the coast was clear.”
Shortly after, both exited the portable restroom separately.
When Sanchez was questioned by police, he allegedly “spontaneously, openly and freely” admitted to having sex with a woman in the bathroom, telling police to “look at the video.”
However, the inmate refused to identify the woman.
But, according to police, surveillance footage clearly showed her face, and they recognized her as Elizabeth Greer, a former inmate, who is on probation until 2027. She was not charged.
Sanchez was charged with “prisoner escape or attempt escape,” a felony charge, which could land him in prison for 15 years. He is set to be arraigned next month.
Aside from the alleged porta-potty incident, the fundraiser appeared to be a success. A large crowd of people attended, and $63,000 was raised, according to the sheriff’s office.
