A Florida prisoner is facing a felony escape charge after he allegedly left his duties at a sheriff's department barbecue to have sex with a woman in a portable toilet.
Hartley Elliot Sanchez, 35, was serving food at the Indian River County Sheriff's Office annual barbecue on March 4 when he wandered off, according to an arrest report. Sanchez, who was awaiting trial on drug possession and theft charges, was a trustee and had been told not to leave the work area without permission and that bathroom visits required an escort.
At around 5:30 p.m., Sanchez left the serving area. Surveillance footage showed him talking to two women before one entered a porta-potty about 150 feet away. Sanchez followed her inside after checking the coast was clear, and they exited separately shortly after.
When questioned, Sanchez allegedly admitted to having sex with the woman, telling police to “look at the video.” The woman was identified as Elizabeth Greer, a former inmate on probation until 2027. She was not charged.
Sanchez was charged with prisoner escape or attempt escape, a felony that carries a potential 15-year prison sentence. He is due to be arraigned next month. Despite the incident, the barbecue raised $63,000 for the sheriff's office.
