February 6, 2006
PRESS RELEASE

Somerset County Jail Inmate Escapes

Somerville, NJ - Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest announces that at approximately 9:57 p.m. last night, Sunday, February 5, 2006, defendant David McGill (DOB 7-18-82) escaped from custody from the Somerset County Jail.

Prosecutor Forrest states that members of the Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Division reported that at approximately 9:57 p.m. last night, defendant McGill was allowed to walk outside the County Jail on a trash removal detail. It was at that time that the prisoner fled and escaped.

Following the escape, a County Sheriff’s K-9 tracking dog, tracked the defendant to a residence in Somerville. The residence was searched with negative results. Witnesses however, reported that the defendant had been seen leaving that residence in a vehicle shortly before the officers arrival.

Prosecutor Forrest states that defendant McGill had pled guilty in Somerset County on December 21, 2005 to three indictments:

1. Indictment No. 05-05-00341-I
   Armed Robbery (1st degree)
   Burglary (2nd degree)
   Possession of Knife (3rd degree)
2. Indictment No. 03-10-00648-I
   Sexual Assault (2nd degree)
   Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2nd degree)
3. Indictment No. 03-10-00647-I
   Theft of Services (3rd degree)
   Joyriding (4th degree)

Defendant McGill was awaiting sentencing on these charges at the time of his escape as well as sentencing on Monmouth County charges of Armed Robbery (1st degree) and Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon (sawed-off shotgun) (2nd degree).

In addition, defendant McGill had been previously prosecuted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office on six other indictments:

1. Indictment No. 03-09-00555-I
   Absconding from Parole (3rd degree)
   Hindering Apprehension (4th degree)
   Sentenced: May 20, 2005, 3 years State Prison
2. Indictment No. 03-04-00213-I
   (Burglary) Pled guilty to Theft
   Sentenced: May 20, 2005, $500.00 fine
3. Indictment No. 02-04-00214-I
   Receiving Stolen Property (3rd degree)
   Sentenced: August 6, 2002, four years State Prison
4. Indictment No. 02-03-00169-I
   Burglary (3rd degree)
   Theft (five counts) (3rd degree)
   Sentenced: September 12, 2002, four years State Prison
5. Indictment No. 01-12-00642-I
   Distribution of CDS (School Zone) (3rd degree)
   Distribution of CDS (4th degree)
   Sentenced: August 6, 2002, nine months State Prison
6. Indictment No. 01-09-00457-I
   Joyriding (4th degree)
   Sentenced: August 6, 2002, nine months State Prison

Note: The sentencing court imposed the sentences on Indictment Nos. 02-04-00214-I, 02-03-00169-I, 01-12-00642-I and 01-09-00457-I to run concurrently.

The defendant also has an extensive juvenile record, which includes one charge of Escape in 1998.

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office has now joined the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Police and N.J. Department of Corrections in the investigation to locate and apprehend this defendant. To assist law enforcement in these efforts, Somerset County Crime Stoppers President and Chairman of the Board of Directors Douglas Kimmelman has announced a reward of $1,000.00 for information, which will lead to the capture of the escaped defendant. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net. All calls are confidential and callers will be supplied with a confidential code number to use to obtain the reward money and remain anonymous.

Defendant McGill is described as a 23-year-old Hispanic male, approximately 5’ 9” tall, 245 lbs., with brown eyes, short brown hair, a tattoo of a pistol on his right forearm and the word ‘DEGAME’ tattooed on his right shoulder. He was last seen wearing a white in color County Jail jumpsuit with the letters ‘SCJ” printed in black on the pants and shirt. However, further information has been received that he may have changed into a pair of gray sweat pants and a white thermal shirt.

Prosecutor Forrest cautions anyone who sees the defendant to contact the nearest law enforcement agency immediately since the defendant should be considered dangerous.

Finally, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Unit along with members of the Sheriff’s Office are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the defendant’s escape.