Authorities search for missing Albany Transitional Center convict

ATLANTA — State Corrections officials were searching for an inmate who escaped from the Albany Transitional Center late Wednesday night.

In a tweet posted at 10:48 p.m., Georgia Corrections Department officials said that Jerome Markee Willis, born in 1993, had escaped from the center. Officials said Willis, described as a black male who is 5 feet 10 and weighs 156 pounds, was last seen near North Washington Street in Albany. Willis also was wearing “civilian clothes,” the tweet said.

The transitional center is located at 304 N. Washington St. in Albany.

According to the DOC website, Willis’ major offense was robbery and his maximum possible release day would be less than a year from now on May 10. It also listed his known aliases as Jerome Marquis Willis and Jerone Willis.

Willis was serving five sentences following convictions on Muscogee County for crimes he committed May 11, 2016. He was serving sentences for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (five years), obstructing a law enforcement officer (one year), marijuana possession (one year), theft by receiving stolen property (seven years) and “other misdemeanor,” one year.

He began serving those sentences in August 2016.

Corrections officials said that if Willis is spotted, the person should contact local authorities by calling 911.