Two Inmates Escape Custody In Stanislaus County

MODESTO (CBS13) – Two inmates being held at a Stanislaus County honor farm because there was no available space at a higher security jail have escaped.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's department is looking for the two men who jumped a fence and walked away from the Stanislaus County Honor Farm on West Grayson Road in Modesto.

The inmates were identified as 23-year-old Marco Antonio Maciel of Stockton and 34-year-old Tomas Arreola Cornejo of Dehli.

The two were last seen at the Honor Farm at 6 Monday night and were confirmed missing during a head count at 6:30 p.m.

Maciel was in custody for growing marijuana and possession of a concealed firearm. Cornejo was being held for possession of narcotics for sale and growing marijuana. Both Maciel and Cornejo are criminal illegal aliens who were also being held on INS holds pending the outcome of their current cases.

Maciel and Cornejo were being held at the minimum security facility because of "inadequate higher security local jail bed space," according to the sheriff's department.

A new facility is under construction to replace the honor farm but will not be finished until 2013.

Anyone with information about Maciel or Cornejo is asked to call the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department at (209) 525-7114.