TRENTON, Fla. – There may be no place at the inn for fugitives trying to duck the law, but a Florida sheriff is offering them a warm place to stay for the holidays and beyond.
At the county jail.
The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office posted an invitation for an extended stay in jail on the agency’s Facebook page. There is a catch, though. Sheriff Bobby Schultz’s invitation only applies to people with outstanding warrants.
“Due to the inclement weather we will be experiencing the next couple of days, Sheriff Bobby Schultz is offering those with outstanding warrants a warm place to sleep,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “All you have to do is show up at the Gilchrist County Jail and tell the staff your name and date of birth and they will be happy to assist and help you take care of that warrant before Christmas!”
Temperatures in Gilchrist County, located in the north-central area of the state, were as low as 26 degrees on Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The agency is predicting that temperatures will be even colder early Sunday, with lows forecasted to be at 21 degrees.
Referring to a county jail as a comfortable haven is nothing new in Florida. According to the Miami Herald, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno refers to the county jail as the Marceno Motel, while Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly refers to the jail as the Green Roof Inn.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, meanwhile, publicizes the arrest of fugitives with a “Wheel of Fugitive” video.
It is unknown whether there have been any takers for the Gilchrist County officer. More than likely Schultz will leave the light on for them.
