David Sweat: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

UPDATE — David Sweat caught:

1. He is a Convicted Murderer

Sweat is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of a sheriff’s deputy in 2002. Sweat and accomplice Kevin Nabinger pled guilty to the murder of Deputy Sheriff Kevin J. Tarsia in Kirkwood, New York in September 2003. Binghamton’s WBNG states that a plea deal allowed both Sweat and Nabinger to avoid a possible death penalty.

Sweat was transferred from a Broome County jail following his sentence in October 2003 to Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York.

Clinton Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison. The facility dates back to 1844, and according to the Village of Dannemora website, the town grew out of the prison’s needs. The Clinton Correctional Facility is the largest and third oldest maximum security prison in New York state.

2. His Escape Was ‘Shawshank Redemption’-Style

Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman, Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Police have described Sweat’s escape as Shawshank Redemption-esque, referencing the 1994 Tim Robbins-led film about a wrongfully convicted killer who went to extraordinary lengths to escape a prison. However, there is no question about Sweat’s conviction. Sweat escaped from Clinton Correctional along with fellow inmate Richard Matt. They were reported missing from their cells at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015 during a routine bed check. They had stuffed their beds to make them appear full by fashioning dummies out of sweatshirts.

According to The New York Times, an “external breach” was discovered about 500-feet south of the prison wall, near the street. They had used power tools to tunnel to the exit point. They left a caricature drawing of an Asian man with the words, “Have a nice day.”

It’s the first time Clinton Correctional has experienced a prison break, but not the first prison break for the inmates. In 1986, Matt escaped from an Erie County jail.

3. Police Released a Bio on Sweat

Sweat is described was described by the New York State Police as a white male, 5’1″, 165 pounds with brown hair, green eyes, and tattoos on his left bicep and right fingers. Both he and Richard Matt are convicted murderers and are considered extremely dangerous.

4. Police Suspect Outside & Inside Help

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

After news of the prison break went public, police have stated that they suspected outside help, possibly with a car meeting the escapees at the exit point to their tunnel. But as to how they were not heard, investigators are baffled.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo appeared on Good Morning America and stated that the two men “had to be heard.” He also suggested that due to their ability to acquire power tools, the men may have had inside help, which would suggest that a Clinton Correctional employee had helped to compromise the security of the prison.

Cuomo then announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the duo’s capture.

5. He Could Be Anywhere

Major Charles Guess of the New York State Police told CNN that Sweat and Matt could be “literally anywhere” by now.