John Nigh, who escaped from the Craven County Jail on January 26th, has been captured after evading law enforcement for over two weeks. Authorities arrested him in Pamlico County after receiving an anonymous tip about his location. Nigh was found hiding in an outbuilding at his fiancé’s residence and surrendered without resistance.
Following his capture, Nigh appeared virtually in court at the Craven County Courthouse in New Bern, where his bond was set at $1,000,000.00. He now faces up to 39 months in prison on felony escape charges. Law enforcement agencies involved in the manhunt, including Craven and Pamlico County deputies, held a press conference at the Craven County Sheriff’s Office to discuss his capture and the ongoing investigation into his escape.
Authorities revealed that Nigh escaped by accessing the jail’s roof through ceiling grating and ventilation housing, with the assistance of his cellmates. Craven County officials are now conducting an internal investigation to determine how the escape occurred and to prevent future incidents. Craven County Sheriff Major David McFadyen stated that additional details regarding the escape would be released in the coming days.
This is not the first time an escape has occurred at the 16-year-old Craven County Jail. Sheriff’s officials confirmed that another inmate had previously managed to escape from the facility a few years ago.
Nigh’s fiancé, Camren Laughinghouse, was also arrested and charged with harboring an escapee and obstructing justice. She appeared in court the same day as Nigh but in Pamlico County, where she later posted bond.
Nigh’s mother, September Wooten, has expressed concerns about her son’s struggles with substance abuse. She emphasized the need for rehabilitation programs instead of strict punishment for individuals dealing with addiction. Wooten believes that without proper resources and support, individuals like her son will continue to face legal troubles.
Nigh’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 7th.
