Mansfield police are currently searching for a man with a violent past who escaped from Volunteers of America housing on Monday evening.
Torie Denney, 36, originally from Sandusky, was housed at the Volunteers of America (VOA) transitional housing program at 921 N. Main St. when the incident occurred. According to a report from Officer Steve Hornback, Denney and a 47-year-old male were outside in a fenced-in smoking area when Denney punched the male in the top front of the head, knocking him to the ground. VOA staff called police as well as Denney’s parole officer and it was determined that Denney was going to be incarcerated on the assault and a holder was issued by the Adult Parole Authority.
The report states that while obtaining the information for the report, VOA staff advised Hornback that Denney had fled the facility on foot. Staff could not advise Hornback how or where Denney had escaped the facility. The area was checked but Denney could not be located.
Mansfield police called area agencies to advise of the escape and of Denney’s violent past. According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, in September 2005 Denney was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery of a male victim, a first-degree felony, in Erie County. In June 2008, Denney was charged with possession of a deadly weapon under detention, a second-degree felony, in Trumbull County.
Denney was sentenced to eight years in prison with a release date of Oct. 5, 2014. As of Aug. 18, 2013 he began a supervision period of five years with the Adult Parole Authority in Richland County. According to his Conditions of Supervision, if Denney absconds supervision he may be prosecuted for the crime of escape, under section 2921.34 of the revised code. The conditions further state if while under post-release control Denney is convicted of a new felony offense, the court may impose an additional prison term consecutive to any prison sentence imposed for the new felony offense.
Hornback’s report states that VOA staff was advised to contact police should Denney be apprehended so that a summons could be served for the assault. Anyone who has information regarding Denney’s whereabouts is advised to contact the Mansfield Police Department at 419-755-9724.
