PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. – The Phelp County Sheriff’s Office reported that two inmates escaped Saturday morning from the Phelps County Jail. One remains on the run, and one has since turned himself in.
Inmates Steven Timothy Scott and Jonathan Eugene Schmidt O’Dell both managed to escape from the jail, with Scott later turning himself to authorities.
O’Dell is described as a 33-year-old white male. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 200 lbs. At the time of his booking, he had brown hair, blue eyes, and a full beard; however, he may have shaved his beard to alter his appearance.
He was last seen wearing a maroon-colored shirt bearing the Phelps County logo and brown slacks with a tan stripe. It’s important to note that O’Dell should be considered dangerous and is currently detained on multiple weapons charges.
According to a memo from the FBI, O’Dell is also facing federal charges and allegedly planned to travel to Texas to confront immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. A federal indictment also alleges he planned to murder officers and employees of the U.S. Border Patrol who would attempt to stop him.
“O’Dell should be considered extremely dangerous and is being held for nuemrous weapons charges,” said the FBI. He is also known to have associates in Central Missouri, Springfield and and Columbia.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jonathan O’Dell, call 911 or the FBI St. Louis Division at 314-589-2500 immediately. As for Scott, charges related to his escape from custody will go through the Phelps County Prosecutor’s Office.
