Jessey Foley

Jessey Foley

Two inmates who escaped from a minimum-security correctional facility in Newton remain at large. Iowa Department of Corrections spokesperson Fred Scaletta says the two men were discovered missing Saturday night.

“We did a routine count and one was discovered missing,” Scaletta said. “During the second count, to confirm that, we discovered another one was missing.”

The inmates, identified as Michael Amodeo and Jessy Foley, are both serving sentences for drug related offenses. Scaletta says the men would not normally be considered dangerous, but given the circumstances, officials are concerned about the public’s safety.

Michael Amodeo

Michael Amodeo

“If someone’s going to take the risk of escaping, you have to assume that there is some threat,” Scaletta said. Amodeo is from Warren County while Foley is from Polk County.

Corrections officials don’t know if the two men are together or split up. Both men could have up to 5 years added to their sentences for fleeing the “minimum-live-out” facility and would be moved to a facility with higher security.

(Story by Randy Van, KCOB, Newton)