A convicted killer who managed to escape from prison in Mississippi has been caught just a day later, authorities announced on Wednesday. Drew Johnson, 33, who was described as “desperate” and “very dangerous,” was recaptured near the South Mississippi Correctional Institution (SMCI) in Leakesville, the same prison he broke out of on Tuesday afternoon.
On Tuesday night, the George County Sheriff’s Office took to social media to warn people in the area to stay alert and cautious. The message was clear: don’t take any chances. “He will be desperate and very, very dangerous. Let your family know and make sure they’re safe. Stay vigilant—especially around Christmas when people tend to let their guard down,” the post advised.
Johnson is serving a life sentence for a murder conviction in Rankin County, Mississippi, back in February 2022. But that’s not all. Before his trial in Mississippi, he pleaded guilty to a series of crimes in Shelby County, Tennessee. One of those was for the 2016 stabbing death of a man whose body was found in southwest Memphis. He also admitted to trying to kill another inmate while in the Shelby County Jail.
The authorities acted quickly to find Johnson after his escape, ensuring the community was safe and the fugitive was back in custody. While his brief time on the run caused concern, the swift response by law enforcement brought relief to the local community.
