Somerset escapee back in custody after six-day search

Judy D.J. Ellich, The Daily American
Updated ·2 min read

SOMERSET — John Wortman was picked up in the borough Wednesday on bench warrants for not attending scheduled court hearings on eight cases, mainly alleged theft incidents.

President Judge Scott Bittner revoked his bail and put him on a detainer, meaning Wortman more than likely would not be able to get out of jail until his trials.

However, the Somerset County judge gave the 40-year-old a chance to change the situation. He granted temporary permission for Wortman to leave the Somerset County Jail to attend specific drug and alcohol treatment at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Twin Lakes. At the end of the treatment, Wortman would have to return to the jail, at which time the judge told Wortman he would revisit the detainment order.

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Wortman was transferred from the jail to what is commonly called, Twin Lakes, for treatment March 7, but he never entered the facility. He ran.

"When Mr. Wortman was out on furlough, he was still technically in our custody," said Somerset County Jail Warden Brian Pelesky.

Thus, because Wortman ran and did not return to the jail, he was charged with escape, a felony, and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, a misdemeanor.

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A search was conducted by the Somerset County district attorney detectives, Somerset County Drug Task Force members, Somerset Borough Police Department and Summit Township police. It took law enforcement six days to find him. They did so in Somerset Borough.

"Mr. Wortman has many pending cases and my office takes theft cases seriously," said Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar. "Victims of theft correctly feel that their privacy and safety have been violated."

Now, Wortman is back in jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond in this case. His preliminary hearing is scheduled at 9:15 a.m. March 26 before Somerset District Judge Scott Walker. A defense attorney for Wortman is not listed in the court docket.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset escapee back in custody after six-day search