FBI offers reward for escaped Jesup federal prison inmate

JESUP, Ga. (WTOC) - The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a man who escaped from the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup.

Arthur Cofield was serving more than an 11-year sentence at a satellite camp at the facility when officials say he walked away.

Atlanta FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons are searching for Cofield, who escaped a week ago.

“Been living here for 24 years now and it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of someone escaping from up there,” said David Purvis, a Jesup resident.

Cofield earned his prison time while he was in a Butts County prison. He used a contraband cellphone, impersonated a victim, wired $11 million and bought more than 6,000 gold coins in 2020.

He was serving time at the minimum security satellite camp in Jesup for conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft, mail, wire and bank fraud.

The FBI provided a statement saying in part: “He is considered armed and dangerous. He has ties to metro Atlanta but could have travelled anywhere since his escape.”

Purvis said the news has him worried.

“Just worried, worried we are finna get a… have to lock your doors, he’s a prisoner,” Purvis said.

The Federal Correctional Facility said they have no further comment at this time.