ATLANTA - Inmates have been escaping from the U.S. Penitentiary in southeast Atlanta and returning with contraband, according to a federal complaint.
The prisoners are allegedly sneaking out through a hole in a fence and bringing back items like liquor, cigarettes and cellphones to sell to other prisoners.
Documents said the inmates would get into cars waiting for them on New Town Circle.
Sources close to the case tell Channel 2 Action News that the feds zeroed in on escapees after an Atlanta police officer spotted four men dressed in all gray and wearing black ski masks and gloves near the perimeter of the prison in January of 2013.
Last month, officials said APD put a camera up to monitor the grounds before handing the video over to the feds.
Authorities caught an inmate trying to get out of the prison last Friday, which led to the federal complaint filing the next day.
The prisoners are allegedly sneaking out through a hole in a fence and bringing back items like liquor, cigarettes and cellphones to sell to other prisoners.
Documents said the inmates would get into cars waiting for them on New Town Circle.
Sources close to the case tell Channel 2 Action News that the feds zeroed in on escapees after an Atlanta police officer spotted four men dressed in all gray and wearing black ski masks and gloves near the perimeter of the prison in January of 2013.
Last month, officials said APD put a camera up to monitor the grounds before handing the video over to the feds.
Authorities caught an inmate trying to get out of the prison last Friday, which led to the federal complaint filing the next day.