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Sex Offender Escapes From Fresno County Jail By Swapping ID Bracelets

FRESNO (CBS/AP) -- Authorities are searching for a registered sex offender who escaped from the Fresno County jail by swapping identification bracelets with a fellow inmate.

Fresno County Sheriff's Office spokesman Tony Botti said 19-year-old David Warren Riggins of Fresno was released improperly on Wednesday morning as a result of the switch.

Botti says the other inmate was scheduled to get out of jail then, but now faces an additional charge.

The sheriff's office runs the jail and is investigating the circumstances of the escape.

Botti says that along with switching ID bracelets it appears the two inmates memorized each other's personal information so they could avoid arousing suspicion from jail staff.

Riggins was in jail on a misdemeanor conviction after he failed to obey an order from juvenile court. He was scheduled to be released next October.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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