Crime

Manhunt on for Northern California inmate who escaped ‘high security’ jail yard

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that inmate Miles Michael Kenneth Bondley, 34, escaped from “a fully-enclosed, high security exercise yard.”
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that inmate Miles Michael Kenneth Bondley, 34, escaped from “a fully-enclosed, high security exercise yard.” Butte County Sheriff's Office

An inmate awaiting trial for nearly a dozen felony charges escaped a Northern California jail Wednesday evening, and authorities are trying to determine how he managed to get out of a “high security” yard at the jail.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies discovered around 6:20 p.m. that 34-year-old inmate Miles Michael Kenneth Bondley escaped from “a fully-enclosed, high security exercise yard” sometime after about 5:30 p.m.

The escapee remains at large and sought, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release, and has a known history in parts of Butte County including Chico, Oroville, Magalia and Paradise.

“Correctional staff are actively investigating to determine how Bondley managed to escape the yard,” deputies wrote.

He is described as approximately 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. Bondley has multiple tattoos including the name “Linda” on his neck.

Bondley should be considered dangerous and should not be approached, deputies said. Anyone who sees him is asked to immediately call 911. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the Sheriff’s Office at 530-538-7322.

Bondley was incarcerated while pending trial on 16 charges — 11 felonies and five misdemeanors spanning numerous crimes, according to the Sheriff’s Office and Butte Superior Court records.

The felony charges include burglary, domestic violence, stalking, assault with a deadly weapon, probation violation, attempted arson and witness intimidation, court records show. Bondley pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges in December.

This story was originally published September 1, 2022 at 10:58 AM.

Michael McGough
The Sacramento Bee
Michael McGough is a sports and local editor for The Sacramento Bee. He previously covered breaking news and COVID-19 for The Bee, which he joined in 2016. He is a Sacramento native and graduate of Sacramento State. 
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