Federal prisoner Johnifer Barnwell pleads not guilty to escape charge
Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, known by aliases “Whoop” and “Malixe,” pleaded not guilty Monday to escaping the Bibb County Jail in October.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, known by aliases “Whoop” and “Malixe,” pleaded not guilty Monday to escaping the Bibb County Jail in October.
The 37-year-old Macon resident is facing charges related to his alleged escape on October 16, according to a news release from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
Barnwell, who was recently convicted on multiple drug-related charges, is now indicted with one count of escape from custody. If found guilty of the escape charge, he could face a sentence of five years in prison. Barnwell already potentially faces a life sentence and a $10,000,000 fine for the drug-related charges. His sentencing date is yet to be scheduled.
His co-defendant, 30-year-old Janecia Green, is charged with aiding and abetting Barnwell’s escape and assisting in the escape of a person in custody. Green also faces up to five years in prison for each charge, if convicted.
According to the indictment, Barnwell was in the Bibb County Jail under the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) custody following his federal jury conviction on October 2. He was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin; and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base.
The indictment alleges Barnwell escaped the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office’s custody with Green’s assistance. Green had her initial appearance in the Macon federal courthouse on November 15, and following a detention hearing on November 21, she was ordered to remain in federal custody pending trial.
The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the case.
