Oct 01, 2023

FBI: Escaped inmate captured near Kansas City

Posted Oct 01, 2023 11:30 PM
O'Dell-after his arrest on Sunday-photo Phelps Co. Sheriff
O'Dell-after his arrest on Sunday-photo Phelps Co. Sheriff

KANSAS CITY —The search for an escapee from a Missouri county jail ended Sunday afternoon west of Kansas. After a pursuit with law enforcement in Ray County, Missouri, 33-year-old Jonathan Eugene Schmidt O 'Dell was located just west of Kansas City and taken into custody just after 5 p.m.,  according to a social media report from the FBI. The stolen vehicle from Phelps County was also recovered.

O'Dell is facing federal charges. According to a federal indictment O'Dell planned to travel to Texas to shoot at illegal immigrants who crossed into the U.S. from Mexico. The indictment also alleges he planned to murder officers and employees of U.S. Border Patrol who attempted to stop him.

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PHELPS COUNTY—Inmates Steven Timothy Scott and Jonathan Eugene Schmidt O'Dell both managed to escape from the jail in Phelps County, according to the FBI in Kansas City. Scott later turning himself to authorities.

Law enforcement continue to search for 33-year-old Schmidt O'Dell. He is described as a white male, 6-feet-1 inches tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes and a full beard at the time of his booking.

He may have shaved his beard to disguise his identity. He was last seen wearing a maroon-colored shirt with a Phelps County logo and brown slacks with a tan stripe.

Just after 11p.m. Friday two inmates at the Phelps County Jail escaped by comprising the structural integrity of the cell and exiting the building.