By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

HAHNVILLE – A St. Charles Parish inmate, held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, walked off a work-release job site in Jefferson Parish and is still being sought, as of press time.

Sheriff Greg Champagne said the prisoner was identified as Otis Berthey, 26, who was working a work release detail at McDonald’s on Airline Drive in Jefferson, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, when he escaped.

To be in the work release program prisoners must not have been convicted of any violent crimes, and have less than two years left of their sentence. Berthey who is serving a sentence for burglary was expected to be released in July of 2006. Berthey is not considered to be dangerous.

Berthey was described as 5-feet-9-inches, 175 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, dark complexion, medium build, with a tattoo “RIP DOROTHY” on his left forearm and “LIL OTIS” on his right forearm. Berthey has been known to frequent the Kenner and New Orleans areas.

Both St. Charles and Jefferson parish Sheriff’s Offices are investigating the incident. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this subject is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-903-STOP. Citizens do not have to give their name nor testify and could receive up to $1,000.