BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–According to Berkeley County Spokesperson Michael Mule, a woman was released from jail after impersonating a cellmate with similar features and the same last name.
Jessica Davis, 31, of Summerville had been in jail for shoplifting. Chanda Davis, 25, of Marion, North Carolina had also been in the same holding cell facing the same charges.
On Friday, Mule says Jessica Davis went to bond court and, in front of Judge Priloeau, represented herself as Chanda Davis. Judge Priloeau granted Davis a PR bond.
She was then taken back to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center and again put into the holding cell with the real Chanda Davis.
About two hours later, detention deputies called for Jessica Davis to release her based upon the PR bond. At that time, Jessica Davis stood up and again represented herself as Chanda Davis.
Mule says the detention deputy did not validate the physical descriptors or other pedigree information before releasing Jessica Davis. This is a violation of Hill-Finklea Detention Center Policy, and an investigation is ongoing in order to clarify what happened and why.
“At no time were members of the public in harm’s way. Jessica Davis’ original charges were shoplifting and trespassing, with a hold for the Summerville Police Department for additional shoplifting related charges,” stated Mule.
Authorities say the two women are not related.
Jessica Davis was apprehended at approximately 3:00 PM on Tuesday.
Sheriff Duane Lewis stated, “The detention deputies made a mistake, and we will investigate it thoroughly and put in control measures to make sure that it does not happen again.“
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