Friday, January 13, 2006

Back in the McCracken County Regional Jail, Curtis W. Maxie is being kept in isolation because his lif e has been threatened, says Jailer Bill Adams.

It was revealed earlier this week that Maxie, a convicted sex offender, told police about another inmate’s jailhouse confession to an Arizona murder. Maxie gave the information in exchange for having some charges against him dropped and being released from jail on a reduced bond.

Maxie

Maxie was released Jan. 4, the day police announced that fellow inmate James D. Mullins was being charged with the Tempe, Ariz., murder. Police said information provided by Maxie led to charges that apparently solved the three-month-old killing of a 19-year-old girl who worked in a strip club.

However, on Monday, Commonwealth Attorney Tim Kaltenbach obtained a new arrest warrant against Maxie, charging him with failing to register as a sex offender within 48 hours of being released from jail. McCracken County deputies arrested him Wednesday afternoon as he left the Dollar General store in Lone Oak.

Kaltenbach said he didn’t support the idea of Paducah police detectives cutting a deal with Maxie in exchange for information, and didn’t know about it until after Maxie was released.

The deal, approved by McCracken Circuit Judge Craig Clymer on New Year’s Day, involved dropping 200 days of a sentence for contempt of court and having his bond reduced to $650.

Maxie was in jail on a previous charge of failing to register as a sex offender, being a persistent felon and attempted rape. Court records show that since 1991, Maxie has had 25 misdemeanor and felony convictions.

Adams said other inmates became angered at Maxie for snitching and cutting a deal with police.

“We can’t put him back in the general population because of threats made against him,” Adams said. “I guess he’s going to have to stay in isolation for as long as he’s here. We can’t transfer him to another jail, because no matter where he goes, other inmates will find out” he’s a snitch.

Adams said the situation causes some problems because workers have to be careful that Maxie doesn’t come into contact with any other inmate. “We can’t have him in the hallway with other inmates when we move him for a clothes change or some other purpose,” Adams said. “We also have to prepare his meal in a different way, and make sure that no inmates handle his food” to avoid any possible contamination by someone seeking retaliation.

Eight isolation cells are used to house inmates who are anti-social, have threats against them or medical problems. Adams said all eight cells were full Thursday afternoon.

Deputy Sheriff Jason Walter said Maxie offered no resistance when he was arrested at 5:23 p.m. Wednesday.

“We got a call from someone who saw him go into the Dollar Store at 3440 Lone Oak Road,” Walter said. “I walked down a few aisles and spotted him, and he immediately left the store. As he did, another officer pulled up and arrested him without incident.”