A former Mississippi jailer arrested in connection with escape of inmate who was recently in 15-hour standoff with police

A former Mississippi jail employee has been arrested and charged in connection with the June escape of inmate Joshua Zimmerman, who was captured last week in Chicago after a 15-hour standoff with police near the Democratic National Convention.

Ronnie Hunt, 32, was charged with conveying articles useful for the escape of a prisoner, according to Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Martin indicated that “additional charges are probable.” Hunt’s legal representation, if any, has not been disclosed.

Hunt, who was employed as a deputy jailer at the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department, has since been terminated. He is currently being held at the Lafayette County Jail, approximately an hour away from where he was previously employed.

Zimmerman escaped on June 14 from the DeSoto County Courthouse in Hernando, Mississippi, where he was detained on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery. He was also awaiting extradition to Houston for a murder charge.

Investigators believe Zimmerman had been working at a seafood restaurant near the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention was taking place. Authorities assured the public that there was no connection or threat to the event or its attendees.