SAGUACHE — According to a Facebook post by the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 7:10 p.m. Saturday a male inmate escaped from the Saguache County Jail. This is the first jail escape this year.

The inmate was identified as James “Jaime” Stewart, 6-foot, 1-inch tall, weighing 230 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was being held on a probation violation. When Stewart escaped, he was wearing orange jail clothing which was later found by deputies.

Because Stewart has been known to have violent tendencies, some county residents received Reverse 911 calls regarding his escape, warning them to call 911 immediately if he was sited.

Stewart was caught on Monday in the Lazy KV Estates area.

According to captain Ken Wilson with the Saguache County Sheriff’s office, Stewart left the jail through a door that is normally closed but shouldn’t be locked because it is a fire egress. The door was opened Saturday to air out the jail because there is no other way to pump fresh air into the facility.

Stewart was out of his cell to make a bond call and kicked it open to flee from jail personnel. “This could have been avoided if we had a secure facility,” Wilson said, adding that plans for a new jail are now moving forward.

Using public safety funds passed by voters in 2018, a firm has been employed to render a conceptual drawing of the new jail, work up a package explaining the location, plans and costs of the facility and what taxpayers will be asked to contribute to the project. The proposal will then be placed before voters in 2020.

Saguache County commissioners have designated the Saguache airport as the likely location for the jail. The airport is located a few miles outside the town and would probably be annexed into the town of Saguache if the new jail is located there, Wilson commented.