Inmate who walked off work release had only 1 year left on sentence

By Holly Hollman
hhollman@decaturdaily.com · 340-2445

ATHENS — A Limestone County inmate, who was likely to get parole next year, walked off his job site Thursday and added about 10 years to his sentence, Sheriff Mike Blakely said.

"I haven't talked to him yet, so I don't know what made him do something so stupid," Blakely said.

The sheriff said Michael Jeffery Dotson, 42, of 23336 Fain Road, Elkmont, was working for the County Commission at Community Corrections in downtown Athens on Jefferson Street when he slipped away about 3 p.m.

Dotson was serving time after having his probation revoked on a second-degree burglary charge, Blakely said.

Athens police spotted Dotson walking on Washington Street, and after a brief foot chase, took him into custody at 10:15 p.m., according to reports.

"He was probably upset he didn't get parole this year, but his sentence would have ended in December '08, and there was a possibility he could have gotten out earlier," Blakely said. "Now he'll get 10 years added."

Authorities charged Dotson with second-degree escape.

Email This Page