Elderly millionaire’s elaborate jail escape plan foiled, Florida sheriff says
Sheriff’s investigators in Florida say they foiled an elaborate jailbreak plan by a 78-year-old businessman who is in custody facing child pornography charges stemming from a 2014 arrest
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Authorities in Florida say they foiled an elaborate jail escape plan by a 78-year-old businessman who fled to France following his 2014 arrest on child pornography charges before being arrested in another country and returned to the US.
John Manchec, a citizen of both the United States and France, planned to escape from prison under the guise of a doctor’s visit - during which he intended for his employees to “take out” corrections staff and help him to escape via plane.
A tip from outside of the jail sparked a two-month investigation into the actions of Manchec, some of his employees and others who he befriended behind bars, Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said on Monday during a news conference.
"Essentially, the plan comes down to this," the sheriff said. "These folks that are on the outside are going to wait until Manchec has a doctor's visit, and they are going to take out our corrections staff while he's out at the medical facility.”
The plan called for Manchec's employees to have a plane — which the sheriff said the man owns — ready in nearby Fort Pierce, so he could escape.
Manchec, who the sheriff described as a multimillionaire, was originally arrested in 2014 on 49 child pornography charges. He left the country to avoid prosecution after posting a nearly $500,000 bond. He returned to southern France where he owned a Medieval estate, the Chateau Pechrigal, the sheriff said.
The sheriff said attempts to have Manchec extradited from France were denied, but he was eventually arrested in the Dominican Republic in 2020, and returned to Florida.
Manchec sought to get out of jail in January, saying he suffered from several chronic medical conditions, and because he broke his hip and wrist late last year, the sheriff said. The request was denied.
The escape plot centered on an April 12 medical appointment, Flowers said. But people involved in the plan had loose lips and investigators received a tip that they began looking into.
An examination of Manchec's jail phone records discovered he used the code words “paint job” while talking with his employees about the plot.
The plan included preparing his plane, a 140-foot (42-meter) yacht, a black utility van and other vehicles that were purchased just for the escape attempt, Flowers said. Manchec even paid the bail for a cellmate who lived in his home and helped make the arrangement, including preparing a suitcase and purchasing his prepared liquor, the sheriff said.
“He’s going back to his castle in France … he’s going to escape in his plane and get back to France and he’s never going to have to face these charges,” the sheriff said.
“This was the real deal,” Flowers said, adding that the plan was discovered before it could be set into motion.
Manchec remains in the Indian River County Jail on attempted escape charges, and four others were arrested and charged in the plot. A lawyer who could speak on behalf of Manchek was not listed on jail records.