Sentence extended after man stole prison truck in Johnson County

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. — A man who stole a prison truck while he was serving a sentence out of Shelby County will now spend additional time behind bars.

According to a news release from the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office, Marion Jaynes was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison for the incident that occurred in late October 2023.

The release said Jaynes was serving a prison sentence for a burglary in Shelby County. Jaynes was placed at the Edinburgh Correctional Facility to serve his sentence. This was where Jaynes stole a prison truck and drove to Indianapolis. Jaynes was eventually apprehended around 6 hours after he escaped.

Jaynes was charged with escape and criminal conversion, each a Level 5 felony, as well as a misdemeanor theft charge and with being a habitual offender, the release said. Jaynes pleaded guilty to all the charges.

During Jaynes’ sentencing hearing, Jaynes said that this incident was “the dumbest thing (that he’s) ever done.” This comes after Jaynes has been convicted of 14 prior felonies and 15 prior misdemeanors.

“I think it sends a strong message to other criminals serving their prison time in the Johnson County state prison facility,” Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner said in the release. “The message is, ‘If you are so fortunate that state prison officials trust you in minimum security, don’t squander that gift and commit more crimes in Johnson County. We will send you back for many, many more years.'”

The release said that Jaynes is required to finish his sentence for his Shelby County conviction on Oct. 5, 2027. Jaynes will then serve the 12 years related to this particular incident.