Authorities in Carroll County are on high alert this evening following the escape of Georgia Department of Corrections inmate David Wheeles from a work detail earlier today. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), along with the Georgia Department of Corrections and Temple Police Department, has confirmed that Wheeles managed to flee custody at some point during the day, prompting an intense and ongoing manhunt led by Sheriff Terry Langley and his deputies.
According to officials, deputies discovered David Wheeles was missing around 3:30 p.m., sparking an immediate search operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The escape reportedly occurred while Wheeles was part of a supervised work detail, though exact circumstances leading up to his disappearance remain under investigation.
Authorities have concentrated their search in the vicinity of East Luke Drive and Highway 113 in Temple, Georgia, where a strong law enforcement presence has been reported. Deputies, along with K-9 units, Georgia State Patrol troopers, and correctional officers, are actively combing the area in hopes of locating the fugitive.
At the time of his escape, Wheeles was wearing white pants and an orange shirt, standard attire for Department of Corrections work detail inmates. Law enforcement officials have released his most recent photo — featuring a blue background — to assist the public in identifying him.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is urging all residents to remain vigilant and to avoid approaching anyone matching Wheeles’ description. If spotted, citizens are asked to call 911 immediately and report the sighting, providing as much detail as possible regarding his location and direction of travel.
Authorities have not disclosed what sentence or charges Wheeles was serving at the time of his escape, but officials have emphasized that every available resource is being deployed to safely apprehend him.
As the manhunt continues into the evening hours, community members in the Temple area are urged to secure their homes, vehicles, and outbuildings, and to report any suspicious activity without delay.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, and other partnering agencies remain on scene and are asking for the public’s cooperation during this developing situation.
If you see or have any information about David Wheeles, do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.
