Murder-for-hire suspect allegedly plotted escape, vandalized Fayette County jail
A Uniontown man currently awaiting trial for allegedly hiring a teenager in a murder plot is now accused of planning an elaborate escape from the Fayette County jail.
State police charged Calvin Jay Huffman, 37, of Uniontown with a felony for attempted escape last week. Earlier this year, Huffman was arrested for solicitation of homicide for allegedly giving 14-year-old Antonyo Owens $5,000 and marijuana to kill Anthony Jones, 38, of Uniontown. Owens is accused of fatally shooting Jones on June 6, 2023 in Uniontown’s East End.
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said Sunday that Huffman gave a letter to another inmate, with the expectation this inmate would mail it to a family member. Someone associated with Huffman would then pick up the letter.
“(The inmate) was very nervous about the contents of the letter, and ended up giving us a tip. With that, we contacted the jail. The staff at the jail intercepted the letter. We opened it from there,” Aubele said.
According to Aubele, the letter contained a “pretty elaborate escape plan.” He said that during the investigation, they found numerous instances in security footage of Huffman examining a door during recreation hours.
“Apparently one door separates him from the outside. It’s something we will discuss at our next prison board meeting about what measures can be taken to secure that area of the facility,” Aubele said.
After officials discovered Huffman’s alleged plans, he was moved to solitary confinement. Aubele said he vandalized his cell and damaged the sprinkler system, causing flooding. The monetary value of the damage was not immediately clear.
Huffman is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on the attempted escape charge at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 18. His formal arraignment in common pleas court in the murder-for-hire case is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17.
Huffman is being held in the Fayette County jail without bond.