March 28, 2024

Newton prison inmate escapes, is apprehended

An inmate walked away from the Newton Correctional Facility on Monday evening, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections, but was later apprehended.

Timothy Joseph Formaro, Jr., an inmate housed at Newton's minimum-security Correctional Release Center, was not present during routine count at 9:20 p.m. Monday. After further search by security, staff it has been determined that Formaro escaped from the facility.

The Iowa DOC said Formaro was apprehended in a join effort by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa State Patrol, Fifth Judicial District Warrant Team and Newton Correctional Facility security staff at approximately 3:30 a.m. one mile north of the facility in a ditch along Highway 14.

State Patrol aircraft used thermal imaging to assist in locating Formaro. The Polk County Sheriff's Office also assisted.

He was transported to the Newton Medium Correctional Facility and was placed into secured housing pending internal disciplinary procedures and criminal charges.

Fomaro was serving a 25-year sentence from Clarke County for prohibited acts and domestic abuse assault.