Investigation under way to find out how jail inmates got out of handcuffs

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department officials are investigating how a jail inmate slipped out of his handcuffs and attacked another inmate while in a holding cell at the county courthouse.

James Feltner, 19, of Fifth Avenue, and Andrew Kocak, 22, of Champlain Avenue were taken from the jail to the courthouse for court appearances Dec. 16.

Feltner is in jail awaiting trial on robbery and assaulting a probation officer. Kocak is charged with breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools.

Deputies transport dozens of inmates to and from the jail daily, but, according to reports, there was nothing routine that day concerning Feltner and Kocak.

Officers were with inmates in a basement holding area in the courthouse when several inmates asked to use the restroom. Five inmates were taken out of the holding cell and taken to the restroom.

According to reports, someone began kicking the door to the holding area shortly after the group of inmates had been taken to the restroom. When deputies opened the door to the holding area, they discovered Feltner had removed one handcuff and was attempting to beat Kocak. Feltner was removed from the cell and his handcuffs replaced.

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