By Clara Wilson
Law enforcement agencies in Georgia are currently searching for two dangerous fugitives. The Sumter County Jail escape occurred on Sunday night, February 8, 2026. Two inmates facing separate murder charges fled the facility in Americus. Officials identified the men as 20-year-old Rickey Martin and 21-year-old Kentravious Holmes. Police consider both suspects armed and extremely dangerous to the public. Consequently, hundreds of officers have joined a massive multi-agency manhunt. The search now extends across several counties in southwest Georgia. Residents are encouraged to lock their doors and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Sheriff Eric Bryant held a press conference to provide details on the situation. He confirmed that the inmates used a security flaw to exit the building. Since the escape, authorities have utilized every available resource to track the pair. This includes aerial support, K-9 units, and advanced camera technology. Furthermore, state troopers are assisting local deputies with road checkpoints. The community remains on high alert as the investigation enters a critical stage. Public safety is the absolute priority for the investigators on the ground.
Investigation Details the Sumter County Jail Escape
The Sumter County Jail escape reportedly took place at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time. However, jail staff did not realize the men were missing for several hours. A routine dormitory check at 2:00 a.m. on Monday finally revealed the empty beds. This delay provided the fugitives with a significant head start. Currently, investigators are reviewing surveillance footage to reconstruct the exact movements of the pair. Sheriff Bryant explained that the inmates accessed an unlocked maintenance door in the ceiling. This door led directly to the roof of the jail.
Once the suspects reached the roof, they jumped to the ground to complete their exit. Surveillance cameras captured them running in a northeasterly direction toward Americus. This specific escape route suggests the men had prior knowledge of the facility’s layout. Therefore, officials are investigating if the suspects had any internal assistance. Maintenance areas are now under a strict secondary lockdown. The department is working to identify how the ceiling door remained unsecured. This oversight is a central part of the internal security review.
Violent Criminal Histories of Rickey Martin and Kentravious Holmes
The two men involved in the breakout have a history of violent crimes. Rickey Martin stands 5’4″ tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. He was in custody for a shooting that occurred in February 2025. That incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Tragically, one of the victims was five-year-old Peyton Roberts. Martin faces multiple counts of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Despite his small frame, authorities warn that he has a history of using firearms.
Kentravious Holmes is also a primary suspect in a separate murder investigation. Police believe he killed Amon Harvey in April 2025. Holmes is 5’8″ tall and weighs about 155 pounds. He has several highly visible physical markings that make him easy to identify. Specifically, he has multiple facial tattoos. These include a dollar sign and a broken heart. He also has the words “Baby Kay” tattooed above his right eye. Both men were awaiting trial when they decided to flee the jail.
Stolen Vehicle Spotted on Surveillance Cameras
Shortly after the escape became public, a nearby resident reported a vehicle theft. The car was taken from a home located very close to the Sumter County Jail. Investigators quickly linked this theft to the two fugitives. On Monday, advanced Flock cameras in Albany, Georgia, spotted a matching vehicle. Albany is located about 40 miles south of the original escape site. This lead suggests the suspects are moving rapidly through the state.
Detectives are currently working to verify if Martin and Holmes were definitely in that car. Flock technology allows police to track license plates across different jurisdictions in real-time. This digital tool has become essential for modern manhunts. Consequently, law enforcement has increased patrols in the Albany area. They are searching for any sign of the stolen vehicle in residential neighborhoods. The rapid movement of the suspects indicates they may be trying to reach a larger city.
Multi-Agency Coordination and Public Safety Measures
The search for these murder suspects is now a massive team effort. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is providing forensic and tactical support. Meanwhile, helicopters are flying over wooded areas to locate any heat signatures. K-9 teams are also working on the ground to pick up the suspects’ scents. This coordination is necessary to cover the large geographic area between Americus and Albany. Officials believe the suspects may be seeking out food or new transportation.
Sheriff Bryant issued a stern warning to the public on Monday afternoon. He stated that anyone assisting these fugitives will face full legal prosecution. Helping a known murderer evade capture is a serious felony offense. Therefore, citizens should not provide shelter or clothing to anyone matching the suspects’ descriptions. If you see Rickey Martin or Kentravious Holmes, do not approach them. Instead, dial 911 immediately or call the Sheriff’s Office at 229-924-4094. Every tip is being treated as a high priority.
Future Security Audits at Sumter County Jail
The Sumter County Jail escape has highlighted major issues within the facility’s infrastructure. Local leaders are calling for a complete audit of all security protocols. This will include an inspection of every maintenance door and ceiling access point. The goal is to ensure that no other inmate can use this method to flee. For now, the administrative review is secondary to the physical manhunt. Once the suspects are back in custody, the department will address the staffing and maintenance failures.
Residents in southwest Georgia are encouraged to stay informed through official channels. Many people are sharing the suspects’ mugshots on social media to help the search. This community involvement is a vital part of the investigation’s success. As the search continues into Tuesday, more officers are expected to join the effort. Law enforcement remains determined to find Martin and Holmes before any further violence occurs. The pursuit remains active and focused on a safe resolution for the community.
