Three inmates at the Warren County Jail were caught in a plot to escape in July, according to newly released documents.

Now the three men are charged with attempted escape or conspiracy to attempt escape, along with a series of other charges related to the alleged possession of dangerous tools intended to help them escape. 

They are John M. Schmidt, 30, Warrenton; Kyle Terney, 23, Wright City; and William B. Sims, 46, Warrenton.

Schmidt and Sims  also are charged with damage to jail property. After catching wind of a possible escape attempt, jail staff searched a cell shared by Schmidt, Sims and another inmate July 16, according to a report from the sheriff’s department. One of the window bars had been cut through, and a fist-sized hole had been made in the bullet-resistant window glass.

Several makeshift tools were discovered in the cell: a saw, a tool to remove security screws, and a device for hoisting in contraband from outside the jail, according to the report. A “heavy braided roper” made from torn mattress covers was also located.

A letter found in the cell, written in part by Sims, reportedly asked another inmate’s mother to assist in bringing four metal cutting saw blades into the jail.

All three men were recorded in phone calls from the jail making the same request to one or more unnamed males. They allegedly intended to bring the saw blades through the hole in the window so they could completely cut through and escape.

The new charges against the men could earn them decades of prison time. All three were already being held on felony charges.

Schmidt was arrested in February for unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and another weapon. Terney was arrested in August 2014 for alleged child abuse. Sims was arrested in May for felony drug and gun charges.

All three men have arraignments scheduled for Nov. 15 at the Warren County Circuit Court.

John Schmidt

Kyle Terney

William Sims