Friends and relatives helped Jackson County prisoner hide out after escape, sheriff says
An Ocean Spring man who escaped from custody Wednesday morning is back in custody along with six others, including two of his relatives, who are accused of helping him avoid arrest, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell said in a news release.
Marshall Ray Williams, 29, was picked up late Wednesday at his father’s camper off Jim Ramsey Road in Vancleave and arrested on a charge of felony escape.
Six people were arrested on a charge of accessory after the fact to escape, according to the news release, including Williams’ father, 54-year-old Gerald Powell of Vancleave, and his aunt, 45-year-old Theresa Hickman of Ocean Springs.
The four others arrested are:
- Tammy Roberts, 53, of Vancleave
- Harry Kostmayer Jr., 44, of Ocean Springs
- Ginger Dowler, 34, of Ocean Springs
- Tracey Sonnier, 50, of Ocean Springs
Williams escaped custody while he was at Ocean Springs Hospital early Wednesday morning, but was picked and back in custody by 11 p.m. that night.
William, who was wanted on four felony warrants, was at the hospital being treated when a deputy removed his leg shackles so he could go the bathroom, Ezell said.
Williams assaulted the deputy, pushing him down and then ran out of the ambulance entrance around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.
He was last seen running toward the intersection of U.S. 90 and Ocean Springs Road and was later spotted knocking on doors the Twin Pines Motel/Trailer Park on U.S. 90.
Prior to the escape, Williams was arrested on a misdemeanor stolen vehicle charge. He’s also been indicted on an additional charge of possession of stolen property and is wanted in Harrison County on charges of felony fleeing and burglary.
Williams and the six others charged in the escape are being held at the Jackson County jail.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 4:31 PM.
