Police continue search for inmate who walked away from work release

Lincoln Police continue to search for a convicted murderer who didn’t return from work release at the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln.

40-year-old Anthony Gafford was placed on escape status around 8 p.m. Saturday. 

Police say he walked away from work release, and hasn’t been seen since.

“Per policy, law enforcement agencies were immediately notified as to Gafford’s disappearance Saturday evening,” NDCS Director Frakes said in a statement. “Additionally, notification was provided to the victim contact who is listed with NDCS.”

Gafford was convicted of second-degree murder and a weapons charge and sentenced to 30 to 50 years for fatally shooting Jacque Holbert in September 1997.

He has been housed at CCC-L since May 2018 and was scheduled for an upcoming parole hearing in April.

“CCC-L is one of two community custody facilities operated by NDCS,” Frakes said. “Inmates housed in those facilities have the opportunity to take part in work release in the community, with prior approval and without direct supervision.”

He was released on parole in 2013, but was sent back because of indecent exposure and a DUI.

Gafford was set to be released in Dec. of 2022.

Frake said it is important to distinguish between inmates who are in community custody and those who are housed in medium or maximum security facilities.

Community custody is the lowest custody level and the least restrictive facility, and inmates are allowed to work and attend school or religious services. 

Though the legal definition for Gafford’s departure is ‘escape,’ NDCS

While the legal definition for his departure is ‘escape,’ NDCS said Gafford left of his place of employment and did not return to the facility. 

Authorities say a man convicted of a 1997 Omaha slaying escaped a Lincoln work-release center six days after his victim’s son was killed.