Inspired by a recent plumbing-related closure at the Warm Springs jail, Jefferson County jail inmate Sheryl Meray Archer-Alarcon tried to convince the other women in her cell block to help her flood the jail in hopes they’d be released, according to authorities.

But when the time came, Archer-Alarcon was the only one who flushed her blanket down a cell toilet. Now, she alone is facing a first-degree felony criminal mischief charge for causing an estimated $1,200 in damages to the jail.

Earlier this month, a waterline break at Warm Springs jail led to nearly 20 tribal inmates being relocated to the Jefferson County jail in Madras. Archer-Alarcon told guards this was in her head when she flushed her blanket, according to sheriff’s Lt. Tyler Anderson.

“I think she just thought she’d get lucky like in Warm Springs,” Anderson said.

About 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, corrections deputy Douglas Lane was walking through Archer-Alarcon’s jail unit when he noticed water coming up through one of the main drains in the center of the floor. Lane called maintenance staff, who would spend the remainder of the day working to clear a blocked sewer line, breaking several tools in the attempt, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Workers removed parts of a blanket but couldn’t clear the blockage.

When questioned by jail staff, other inmates singled out Archer-Alarcon.

“One inmate told me Archer-Alarcon had said they should all plug up their toilets and we (jail staff) would have to release them.” Lane wrote in an arrest report.

A professional plumber was called and spent several hours removing the rest of the blanket. The cost to fix the blocked sewer line was estimated at more than $1,200, including broken tools and a professional plumber.

Archer-Alarcon is in jail on suspicion of violating a condition of her probation. She pleaded guilty this month to possessing methamphetamine.

She’s being represented by a public defender, who did not return a call Monday seeking comment.

Archer-Alarcon is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on the criminal mischief charge.

The jail has 160 beds and has not been full since it opened in 2001. It averages about 100 inmates per night.

Each inmate is given two blankets upon entering the jail.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com