GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Collin Wade Posey, 32, waived his preliminary hearing on Monday, September 23, and pleaded not guilty to three crimes related to his alleged attempt to escape from Grand Forks County custody while being held at Altru Hospital.
Posey is charged with Class C felony escaping arrest or charge, Class C felony possessing contraband useful for escape, and Class A misdemeanor criminal mischief causing willful, reckless damage between $2,000 and $10,000 or intentional damage between $100 and $2,000. Class C felonies carry a maximum five-year sentence.
The alleged attempt to break free occurred on July 22 after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement. Posey was wanted on multiple warrants at the time, some county and others federal.
On July 28, while receiving medical treatment at Altru Hospital, authorities received a tip that Posey was planning another escape attempt. He was searched and moved to another room, but law enforcement found several items hidden in his bed or nearby areas, including:
- A butter knife inside a wall-mounted suction canister above the head of his previous bed
- A hospital phone and pair of socks inside his pillow
- An empty tape dispenser within his sheets
Days later, hospital staff reported that the handrail Posey was handcuffed to had been sawed open.
Posey’s next hearing in this case is scheduled for December 19.