Gaffney escaped Bell County Jail on Friday by impersonating another inmate who was about to be released.
BELL COUNTY, Texas — Bell County officials issued an arrest warrant on Saturday for Nicole Adele Gaffney, the woman who walked out of Bell County Jail on Friday by falsely identifying herself as a inmate who was scheduled to be released.
After a review of information related to the incident by the Bell County District Attorney’s Office on Saturday, Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman issued an arrest warrant.
The incident is still being investigated by law enforcement. According to Bell County officials, protocols, procedures and policy were not followed. As a result of the incident, two jailers have been suspended.
Sheriff Bill Cooke said he is taking responsibility for the security lapse.
“Bell County has hundreds of professional jail personnel that work tirelessly twenty-four hours a day to keep the citizens of Bell County safe and secure,” Cooke said.
Gaffney had been brought into the Bell County Jail at 11:15 a.m. after being arraigned by District Judge Wade Faulkner on the charge of hindering apprehension or prosecution. Her bond was set at $5,000.
As of Friday, the Bell County Sheriff’s Office reported Gaffney was last seen on video on foot, walking towards Loop 121 near the Bell County Justice Complex. She does not have a violent background.
Gaffney was last seen wearing a black tank top, blue denim jeans and black and white Nike high top shoes. Gaffney is white and has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 5’2″ in height and weighs 130 pounds, according to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Bell County Sheriff’s Office at 254-933-5412 or call your local law enforcement agency. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Bell County Crime Stoppers at 1-254-526-TIPS (1-254-526-8477) or online at bellcountycrimestoppers.com.