Byron Roth was arrested on Tuesday - questions remain about his escape
Questions are being raised about how a man facing felony charges escaped from a treatment facility transport vehicle in Morgan County, and why it took hours for an official law enforcement alert to go out.
Byron Roth escaped around 10 a.m. on October 16, after the vehicle transporting him from Advantage Treatment Center in Sterling stopped near Fort Morgan. According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Roth complained of feeling ill before running from the vehicle.
Authorities say Roth was not handcuffed or restrained.
Roth was being transported to Weld County, where he faces charges including aggravated robbery, felony menacing and theft.
Colorado State Patrol says it was notified of the escape more than an hour later through an email from the treatment center. The agency says it has no record of a 911 call reporting the escape.
Although the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office warned the public around noon, it did not issue the official law enforcement alert until after 4 p.m.
A law enforcement expert says that delay may have cost officers valuable time in their efforts to locate Roth. Local law enforcement agencies and the Weld County District Attorney’s Office also say they were not notified about the planned transport.
Advantage Treatment Center described the trip as routine and said it is reviewing its policies and procedures.
The state Division of Criminal Justice is requiring the facility to review the incident and is considering launching its own investigation.
*UPDATE: Roth remained at large, but on Tuesday, October 27th, according to a posting from the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, he was arrested by the Greeley Police Department and is now in the custody of the Weld County Jail.
