A man from Orlando, Florida, was apprehended in North Carolina after he abruptly resigned from his job as a private jailer while transporting a van full of inmates, according to North Carolina authorities. The incident, which began as a problematic workday, has now escalated into multiple criminal charges that could result in significant prison time.
Joshua James Pinquet, 21, is facing five felony charges of second-degree kidnapping and one felony charge of larceny by servants or other employees, as per the records of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. The incident took place on November 28. Around 9 in the morning, deputies were alerted to be on the lookout for an “inmate transport van” traveling along Interstate Highway 40 in Statesville, a city approximately 40 miles north of Charlotte.
The alert was raised by the owner of the inmate transport company, who reported that the driver, identified as Pinquet, had deviated from the planned route and was refusing to return the van. The owner was informed of the unexpected detour by another employee who was traveling with Pinquet and the inmates. Pinquet reportedly told the owner that he was quitting his job mid-trip and would not stop at the intended destination with the prisoners.
The van was eventually halted along Interstate 40 near mile marker 154. Both employees were detained, and the inmates were secured. Pinquet was arrested on the same day and charged with one count of kidnapping for each inmate and the other employee.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that the transport company had been contracted by various law enforcement agencies outside North Carolina to transport inmates to and from different detention centers across the country. Interviews revealed that Pinquet was supposed to stop at a location in Hickory with the inmates but had refused to stop and continued traveling Interstate 40 into Iredell County.
The inmates, who were on their way to Florida, were handed over to other company employees and continued their journey to the Sunshine State. Pinquet was initially held in the Iredell County Jail without bond. However, jail records indicate that he was released on a $750,000 secured bond on Saturday. Pinquet is scheduled to appear in court on December 20.