Escaped inmate is a federal defendant accused of previously involved with shooting at FBI special agents

Jonathan S. O’Dell

**UPDATE: Jonathan O'Dell who escaped from Phelps County Jail was taken into custody without incident in Ray County at approximately 5 p.m Sunday, Oct. 1 by the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Ray County Sheriff's Office.**

The FBI and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office are searching for an inmate who escaped the Phelps County Jail at approximately 11:09 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Inmate Jonathan S. O’Dell and another inmate, Steven Timothy Scott, escaped by comprising the structural integrity of the cell and exiting the building. A short time later, Scott turned himself in. O’Dell is facing federal charges.

According to a federal indictment, O’Dell allegedly planned to travel to Texas to shoot at illegal immigrants crossing the United States – Mexico border. The indictment also alleges he planned to murder officers and employees of the U.S. Border Patrol who would attempt to stop them.

On Oct. 7, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at O’Dell’s residence when special agents were fired at multiple times. Agents did not return fire and, after the gunshots ceased, the FBI established a perimeter and began communicating with the persons inside the residence to come out. O’Dell is a white male, 33-year-old, 6-foot, 1-inch tall, 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 Phelps County logo and brown slacks with a tan stripe. O’Dell should be considered extremely dangerous and is being held for numerous weapons charges. O’Dell is known to have associates in and around central Missouri, specifically the Warsaw, Columbia and Springfield areas.