Responding to a no-show at a scheduled court hearing Tuesday, the county court issued another warrant for Jason Patrick Tope, 26, who escaped from the county jail last Friday.

Wednesday, February 13, 2002

Responding to a no-show at a scheduled court hearing Tuesday, the county court issued another warrant for Jason Patrick Tope, 26, who escaped from the county jail last Friday.

Last November, Tope was charged with first-degree manufacturing, aid and abetting, and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The maximum sentence for the charges is 40 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.

His brother, Shawn Casey Tope, was arrested at the same time while they were cooking meth in a garage at 205 Giles, Albert Lea, and charged with first-degree manufacturing.

The bail was set for both at $100,000 with conditions and $150,000 without.

The court hearings had been held jointly. Without the presence of Jason Tope, Shawn entered a not-guilty plea in the Tuesday hearing.

Shawn Tope also waived a motion against a joinder, which would allow the two defendants to be tried together.

The defense had been challenging the prosecutor’s request for the joinder, pointing out evidence for one party should not be used against the other.

Meanwhile, the search for Tope was continuing.

The Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous call saying that Tope was seen in St. Paul after the escape. The Sheriff’s Office contacted the St. Paul Police Department to confirm the information.

A warrant for the escape was already issued last Friday, for which Tope is subject to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.