Mississippi Inmate Found After Christmas Prison Escape
Drew Johnson, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, was captured Wednesday following his escape from a Mississippi prison on Christmas Eve. He was located near the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Greene County, according to officials.
Convicted murderer recaptured after Christmas Eve prison escape | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/BxbslUZ9M1
— KOAT.com (@koat7news) December 26, 2024
The Mississippi Department of Corrections launched a manhunt after Johnson’s escape Tuesday afternoon. Authorities described him as a “desperate” individual who posed a significant threat to public safety. Residents in the area were urged to stay alert during the search, which stretched over two days.
Drew Johnson, 33, who escaped from South Mississippi Correctional Institution on Christmas Eve, has been recaptured near the prison on Christmas Day. Johnson, described as "extremely dangerous" & "desperate," was serving a life sentence for multiple violent offenses, including… pic.twitter.com/v5aiCL95tB
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) December 26, 2024
Johnson has a long history of violent crimes across multiple states. He was sentenced to life without parole in 2022 for stabbing a man over 25 times in Memphis. He has also been convicted of arson in 2019 and an assault on another inmate in 2021.
🚨🇺🇸 MISSISSIPPI POLICE HUNT FOR ESCAPED KILLER
Drew Johnson, 33, pulled a holiday disappearing act yesterday, escaping from the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville, about 122 miles northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana.
He was serving life for a 2022… pic.twitter.com/gGYr1esNEa
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 25, 2024
The breakout occurred at the Leakesville facility, the state’s newest prison. Officials have not released information about how Johnson managed to escape from the secure location. The 35-year-old inmate will face further charges for the escape.
The Mississippi Department of Corrections has announced the capture of a convicted killer who escaped on Christmas Eve. https://t.co/GNWbEBXIap
— Corpus Christi Caller-Times (@callerdotcom) December 27, 2024
Johnson is also awaiting trial for an unrelated murder case in Rankin County, Mississippi.