Two Inmates Charged With Murder Escape Sumter County Jail; Manhunt Underway

A manhunt stretched across southwest Georgia after two inmates charged with murder and other violent felonies escaped custody from the Sumter County Jail in Americus at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The sheriff’s office and allied agencies warned that both men should be considered dangerous and urged residents to call 911 or the jail tip line with information.

The escapees were identified as Rickey Martin, 20, whose name also appears in some records as Ricky Martin, and 21-year-old Kentravious Holmes. Both were being held on multiple felony counts including murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said, “If you see either of these individuals or have information about their whereabouts, call 911 immediately or contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.” The public tip line is 229-924-4094.

Officials provided detailed descriptions to aid identification. Rickey (also spelled Ricky) Martin is described as a Black male about 5 feet 4 inches tall and 120 pounds with untwisted dreadlocks. Kentravious Holmes is described as a Black male about 5 feet 8 inches tall and 155 pounds, also with untwisted dreadlocks and multiple face and neck tattoos, including a dollar sign, a broken heart and the words “Baby Kay” over his right eye. Authorities say Holmes had been arrested earlier in February by the Americus Police Department in the fatal shooting of Amon Kevone Harvey, 21, and was taken into custody without incident before being transferred to the Sumter County Jail.

How the men got out remains under investigation, and officials have offered preliminary theories while probing evidence inside the facility. Sheriff Eric Bryant said investigators were “still following up on different things that we're finding inside the building.” He added it appears there was “some type of mechanical failure with the locking system.” In a separate preliminary description Bryant said it “appears the inmates escaped through a maintenance door on the ceiling of the building that wasn't locked properly and led them through the HVAC to get outside.” Those statements have been presented as early investigative findings rather than a final department-wide conclusion.

Law enforcement agencies from across southwest Georgia joined the search. Albany police reported license-plate cameras picked up a stolen vehicle associated with the case, and Albany Police Chief Michael Persley said the inmates were spotted in that vehicle and that “one of the inmates has family and other potential contacts in Albany, Georgia.” Investigators have spoken with family members of both inmates as they trace leads.

For local residents the practical steps are straightforward: do not approach either man, dial 911 immediately if sighted, and call the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 229-924-4094. Expect increased patrols and BOLO alerts in the coming days as investigators work to confirm how the escape occurred and to recover any surveillance or maintenance records. The outcome of that work will determine whether criminal charges or internal reviews follow and when the community can feel fully secure again.