MPs will stop prisoner escape on medieval estate in FranceDeputies to stop prisoner escape on estate in France

INDIAN-RIVER COUNTY - John Manchek's escape from prison began with a doctor's visit, followed by a group of accomplices who freed the man from a correctional service vehicle and took him to an unknown location. Then Manchek, a multimillionaire with several resources including a private jet and yacht, planned to flee to his three-story medieval luxury hotel in France, deputies said.

The plan never materialized, however. Now Manchek, 78, who was already behind bars on 49 child pornography charges after his December 2014 arrest, faces two additional charges of attempted escape and evading court appearances.

"Manchek is a multimillionaire with several homes in the United States, France and the British Virgin Islands. His assets include an airplane, a 140-foot yacht, and a chateau (converted into a hotel) in France. "," Indian River County Sheriff's Office officials said in a statement. "Investigators believe with certainty that Manchek intended to use these assets to facilitate and finance his escape. "

Manchek is also a business owner on the Treasure Coast. Aero Shade Technologies, Inc. an aerospace company based in Fort Pierce, lists Manchek as the company's president on its website.

The four other people behind the failed escape strategy are Byron Harvey, 48, of Vero Beach; Kristen Maso De Moya, 26; Benjamin Bashton, 67, of Vero Beach and Kerry Shepherd, 39, of Vero Beach. All four are charged with criminal conspiracy. Harvey also became a defendant for unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Manchek, Harvey and Shepherd were held Tuesday at the Indian River County Jail without bail, jail records show. Bashton was released from the county jail on $50,000 bail. Maso De Moya was being held in the St. Lucie County Jail on $15,000 bail.

Manchek's previous escape has already attracted the attention of deputies after he was released on bail following his arrest in 2014 and then fled the country to avoid prosecution. Manchek failed to show up for a court hearing in April 2017 and was later seen in December 2020 as a fugitive in the Dominican Republic, reports show. U.S.

New escape plan foiled

The Indian River County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division began a two-month investigation in early April after receiving information about a new escape plan. After interviews and reviewing messages in the jail mail system, officers learned that Manchek had paid for Harvey's bail so that he could get out of jail and develop an escape plan for a reward. Manchek then took Harvey, Bashton and Maso De Moya to work for Aero Shade Technologies. It is unclear whether Shepard also worked for an aerospace company. The staff alleges that the group planned to schedule Manchek for colonoscopic treatment. The accomplices then had to stop the Sheriff's Office Correctional Services vehicle upon arrival at the medical facility, pepper-spray the deputies inside and release Manchek, sheriff's officials said. "Shepard should have notified Harvey that Manchek was leaving the prison, thus setting the plan in motion. The plan was to intercept the Indian River County Correctional Services vehicle upon arrival at the medical facility," deputies said. "Harvey and his accomplice were to assault the correctional deputies, free Manchek and flee in an unknown direction. The plan used several vehicles, including a truck and van paid for by Manchek to facilitate the escape." Employees believe Manchek planned to travel to France - his birthplace - to Chateau De Pechrigal, a luxury hotel owned by Aero Shade Technologies. The hotel was originally a medieval castle built between the 14th and 15th centuries, according to Hidde-James, a website specializing in luxury properties around the world. Manchek purchased this 108-acre property in the late 1990s. Manchek's private jet is based in south Florida, deputies said. They also reported that Manchek holds dual citizenship of France and the United States.

Officers arrested Manchek, Harvey, Maso De Moya, Bashton and Shepherd. The court set a hearing for Manchek for July 12 and for Harvey, Bashton and Shepherd for July 6, records show. Information about the trial against Maso De Moya was not available. "Manchek will remain a guest of the Indian River County Jail until he is held accountable for all of his criminal acts," sheriff's officials said.