Investigators say they are looking for a man who escaped prison custody while on mowing duty Wednesday near the home of a prison official who was later found dead.
Curtis Ray Watson, who was serving a 15-year sentence for aggravated kidnapping, was last spotted on a riding mower near the home of prison official Debra Johnson, located on West Tennessee State Penitentiary grounds.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has said Watson, 44, is a suspect in the homicide death of Debra Johnson. They are currently offering a $52,500 reward for information leading to his recapture, advising the public to keep a look out for crawl spaces and alleyways.
“He could be anywhere,” said TBI Director David Rausch.
Officials also warned the public to exercise extreme caution and not to approach Watson, whom they consider to be very dangerous.
UPDATE: We are releasing two of Curtis Watson’s previous mug shots from his TDOC incarceration, in case he altered the appearance of his facial hair after his escape yesterday.
If you see him, do not approach. Call 911.
Thanks for helping us to spread the word! pic.twitter.com/4EhBnEK9J6
— TBI (@TBInvestigation) August 8, 2019
Watson, who had been in prison since 2013, was serving his second term after an earlier conviction for aggravated kidnapping, for which he was released in 2011.
“Rest assured that we will find this offender and bring justice to the family of Debra Johnson,” said Tennessee Department of Corrections Commissioner Tony Parker. “Debra is known as a very dedicated, professional correctional employee respected both by the offender population and the people who work for our department.”
UPDATE: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Watson was apprehended on Sunday after home surveillance footage spotted him rummaging through a refrigerator. Hundreds of law enforcement officials had descended on the area after the tip came in and Watson is said to have been taken into custody without incident. “The pressure they put on Watson while he was on the run was absolutely critical,” said TBI Director David Rausch. Watson, who was on the run for just five days, is the primary suspect in the Wednesday death of Debra Johnson.
