Oklahoma Inmate Assaults Deputy, Escapes Garvin County Jail

By KX11 News 12

An inmate escaped the Garvin County Jail Sunday night, assaulting a detention deputy in the process.

Sheriff Larry Rhodes says around 9:30 p.m. inmate Jason Willis, 32, was working a jail worker getting ice from an ice machine when he assaulted a deputy as the door opened and ran toward an emergency exit.

Rhodes says when the deputy tried to apprehend him, Willis continued the assault and ran out of the courthouse.

Rhodes said the deputy received only minor injuries.

Willis, who is from Davis, was last seen running east from the Garvin County jail in Pauls Valley.

“Members of the US Marshal Fugitive Task Force, Pauls Valley Police, Murray County Sheriff’s Office and Wynnewood, Elmore City, Stratford and Maysville police department assisted us throughout the night in a search of the Pauls Valley, Wynnewood and Davis areas where Willis is known to have associates,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes says Willis was not armed when he escaped, but should be considered dangerous because he had fled from officers before.

He’s described as a white male, short brown hair and beard, hazel eyes, 5’11” with a short stocky build.

He has tattoos on his chest and on back of both arms.

He was last seen wearing orange and white striped pants, white tee shirt, wearing no shoes.

Court records show Willis was awaiting trial in Garvin County on two weapons charges, use of vehicle to facilitate discharge of a weapon and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. Both counts are felonies.

He has outstanding arrest warrants from Carter County for felonious possession of a firearm, second degree burglary, and obstructing an officer.

Willis was convicted of aggravated eluding a police officer and false impersonation in Murray County in December.

He was sentenced to probation in a case prosecuted by former assistant district attorney David Pyle.

If you see Willis or know of his whereabouts, call the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office at 405-238-7591.