Hewett pleads guilty to jail escape

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County man has pleaded guilty to escaping from jail earlier this year.

William Hewett entered his Alford pleas this afternoon to the escape charge as well as assault with a deadly weapon and felony flee to elude. An Alford plea means a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there is enough evidence to convict him.

Hewett was originally behind bars for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Hewett escaped from the Brunswick County Jail on Jan. 29 by posing as his brother, who was also in jail and set to released on bond. The sheriff said Hewett traded arm bracelets with his brother and walked out of the jail.

Investigators found him five days later hiding in a trailer at the back of his mother’s property in Boiling Spring Lakes. Several of Hewett’s relatives were also charged in connection to his escape.

Hewett’s original charges could have put him behind bars for almost eight years, but his plea deal consolidated those sentences.

Judge Ola Lewis sentenced Hewett to 26-44 months in prison. She also ordered that he undergo mental and drug evaluations.