A potentially dangerous escape plan devised by inmate John Manchec was successfully foiled by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office on April 10, 2023. The Sheriff’s Office received a notification regarding Manchec’s plot to escape custody, triggering an immediate investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division.
In collaboration with the Real Time Crime Center, a strategic initiative introduced by Sheriff Flowers, detectives were assigned to the case to ensure a swift and thorough response.
Involved individuals and their respective charges and bail amounts include:
- John Manchec: Attempted Escape, $250,000 Bond
- Byron Harvey: Criminal Conspiracy, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication, $150,000 Bond
- Kristen Maso De Moya: Criminal Conspiracy (arrested in St. Lucie County)
- Ben Bashton: Criminal Conspiracy, $50,000 Bond
- Kerry Shephard: Criminal Conspiracy, $50,000 Bond
It was discovered that John Manchec had a previous arrest on December 18, 2014, when he was charged with 49 counts of possession of child pornography, following an investigation led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. After posting bail on December 19, 2014, Manchec fled the country to evade prosecution. However, he was later apprehended in the Dominican Republic and subsequently extradited back to the United States.
During his time in custody at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Manchec established acquaintances, including Kerry Shephard and Byron Harvey. Manchec had Harvey employed as an Aero Shade company employee, which he owned.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives uncovered that Manchec paid Harvey’s bond to secure his release, and Shepherd received compensation through co-conspirator Ben Bashton, who was not incarcerated. Kristen Maso De Moya was identified as a co-conspirator due to her involvement in the case. Bashton and Maso De Moya are also listed as employees of Manchec’s company, Aero Shade.
Detectives learned that Manchec’s escape plan involved initiating the process during a scheduled medical appointment. Shepherd would inform Harvey of Manchec’s departure from the jail, setting the plan in motion.
The plan entailed intercepting the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Corrections transport vehicle upon its arrival at the medical facility. Harvey, accompanied by an accomplice, would assault the Corrections Deputies, free Manchec, and make their getaway using multiple vehicles, including a truck and van that Manchec had specifically procured to facilitate the escape.
Detectives uncovered Manchec’s intended destination after the escape—a castle named Chateau De Pechrigal in France, owned by his company. They also discovered that Manchec possessed considerable resources, including a private airplane, “The Navajo,” housed near the Fort Pierce Regional Airport in St. Lucie County. With dual citizenship in France and the United States, Manchec, a multimillionaire with properties in both countries as well as the British Virgin Islands, was believed to have planned to leverage these assets to finance his escape.
After a two-month investigation, detectives successfully intervened and prevented the escape plan from materializing. The aforementioned co-conspirators were apprehended and are currently being held at the Indian River County Jail.
Manchec will remain in custody at the Indian River County Jail, awaiting accountability for his multiple criminal acts. The swift actions of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office have averted a potentially dangerous situation, ensuring the safety and security of the community.
