CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — Two inmates of the Livingston County Jail were prevented Thursday from completing a planned escape, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department said.

Sheriff Steve Cox said he received word from other detainees that two male inmates allegedly were plotting to escape by force and were making a device to assist in the attempt.

Mr. Cox, deputies, detention officers, office staff and a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper searched the entire jail. Staff members discovered an item that resembled a handgun, fashioned from toilet paper and other items, including an ink pen to resemble the

barrel.

Two men allegedly have confessed to knowing about, owning or making the fake weapon, Mr. Cox said.

The suspects apparently obtained an ink pen and may have been plotting to use the ink to create the appearance of a weapon. Both men were initially moved into maximum security areas and were transferred Friday to another

facility.

One of the suspects had pleaded guilty to a child sex offense and was awaiting a sentence from Judge Stephen Griffin. The second suspect is incarcerated on an alleged probation violation, with burglary as the original charge. He also is awaiting trial on allegations of vehicle theft.

An investigation is continuing into the incident, Mr. Cox said.