North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested three people who facilitated an escape attempt at the Columbus County Detention Center.

Inmate Natrell Mckinnies tried to get out with the help of Javon Bowen and a 17-year-old. According to investigators.

Last month, the SBI, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbus County District Attorney’s Office began an investigation into an escape attempt at the Columbus County Detention Center. The investigation led to the arrests of Natrell Ky’el McKinnies, Javon Terrell Bowen, and a 17-year-old juvenile.

McKinnies was an inmate at the Columbus County Detention Center trying to coordinate his escape from the facility. He has been charged with: solicitation to commit first degree murder, solicitation to escape custody, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, and conspiracy to escape custody. Bowen and the juvenile have been charged with: conspiracy to commit first degree murder and conspiracy to escape custody.

The solicitation to commit first degree murder charge was against a law enforcement officer who was not named. Bowen and the juvenile were arrested on Dec. 3, 2024, without incident, with the assistance of the SBI’s Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT). McKinnies was charged while in detention and is currently housed at the Granville Correctional Institution awaiting trial on three homicide charges. – NC SBI

Natrell Ky’el McKinnies and Javon Terrell Bowen pictured, via NC SBI.