Political Advertisement • Paid for by Victor Sims for Polk County School Board
BUSHNELL, FL — A Florida man who escaped from the Sumter County Detention Center, stole an electric bicycle and a vehicle, and attempted to conceal his identity by covering his face with paint has been sentenced to 10 years, 10 months, and approximately 29 days in prison.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, 40-year-old Joseph Brown received the sentence after Judge Charles L.W. Helm accepted his plea on Friday.
On November 16, 2025, Brown escaped from the Sumter County Detention Center in Bushnell while assigned to a kitchen work detail. According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office investigation, Brown removed the top of his inmate uniform and jumped a fence to flee the facility.
Authorities immediately launched a large-scale search and alerted the surrounding community.
During the investigation, deputies learned that Brown had been captured on a residential doorbell camera stealing a white electric bicycle from a property on North Jasper Street. Investigators also determined that Brown had stolen a motor vehicle while attempting to evade law enforcement.
Deputies eventually tracked Brown to an area near County Road 675, several miles from the detention center. Investigators discovered that Brown had used paint to disguise his face and was hiding in water in an attempt to avoid capture.
Brown eventually surrendered and was taken back into custody later that evening.
However, his attempts to escape custody did not end there.
While incarcerated, Brown attempted another escape by digging into a wall inside his jail cell. During the attempt, he damaged a fire alarm and air-conditioning ductwork, resulting in additional criminal charges.
Brown faced numerous charges, including escape, attempted escape, burglary, grand theft, motor vehicle theft, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, resisting law enforcement without violence, and introducing contraband into a detention facility.
The State Attorney’s Office did not specify how much time Brown had remaining on his original sentence or whether his new prison term will run consecutively to any previous sentence.
“Escaping from lawful custody is a serious offense that undermines the administration of justice,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Elizabeth Hart. The State Attorney’s Office also recognized the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for its coordinated efforts in locating and apprehending Brown.
SOURCE: State Attorney’s Office, Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida, and Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
