Clallam inmate escapes chain gang

Published 3:38 pm Tuesday, March 18, 2014

While performing trail building work on the Olympic Adventure Trail west of Port Angeles, a member of the Clallam County Sheriff’s chain gang crew, comprised of county jail inmates, escaped custody for about two hours May 29.

Trevor Glavin, 24, of Sequim, was one of four inmates working on the trail. He slipped out of sight from chain gang officers during a bathroom break. Within 15 minutes, authorities were on Glavin’s tail, including a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and Port Angeles Police Department canine unit.

Glavin was tracked to a site approximately a third of a mile from his last-known location where he was taken into custody without incident.

Glavin was free for just less than two hours and as a result he now faces a new second-degree escape charge in addition to the two charges he already was facing in Clallam County Superior Court, which are arson in the second degree and reckless burning in the first degree.

In April, Glavin was charged for allegedly participating in setting a mailbox on fire on Taylor Cut-off Road. The arson charges are pending in the court system.

Glavin is the first inmate to escape from the chain gang in the 10-year history of the program. By participating in the chain gang, inmates have the opportunity to get released earlier, having a good record in the jail.

However, if found guilty of escape charges, Glavin likely will find himself in the Clallam County Correctional Facility for longer.

The chain gang works cleaning up roads, constructing trails, clearing brush and other labor-intensive chores. The adventure route of the Olympic Discovery Trail has been largely built by the chain gang.