Tip leads Laurel, Knox deputies to Corbin man who escaped jail work detail

A tip from an off-duty London Police officer Monday afternoon led Laurel and Knox County Sheriff’s deputies to the location of a man wanted for escaping from a Knox County Jail work detail in October.

Laurel County Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said deputies arrest 39-year-old Jason Shelby Merida at a residence on Ky. 1223 in north Corbin.

Acciardo said London Police Officer Randy Medlock contacted Laurel County deputies concerning a suspicious individual on Cherry Ave off of U.S. 25W about 12:40 p.m.

“Medlock reported seeing the individual carrying a purse and other items,” Acciardo said. “He said the guy didn’t seem right and when he yelled at him, the guy dropped everything and took off.”

Acciardo said based on information that was developed the suspect was Merida and that he was at the residence on Ky. 1223.

According to Knox County Deputy William Stewart, the department’s public affairs officer, Merida has been on the run since October 12 when he walked away from the work detail.

“(Merida) was found hiding in a closet and refused to come out and following a brief struggle with deputies was taken into custody.

Merida was served with a Knox County warrant charging him with first-degree escape and resisting arrest, a Laurel County bench warrant charging him with failure to appear in court on a charge of second-degree fleeing or evading police, a Laurel County warrant charging him with theft by unlawful taking of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000, a Knox County bench warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of theft by unlawful taking – shoplifting, and a second Knox County warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of theft by unlawful taking of the value under $500.

Merida was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

Agencies and officers assisting included: for Laurel County – Sheriff John Root, Capt. Chuck Johnson, Lieut. Greg Poynter, Sgt. Brett Reeves, Detective Sgt. Kevin Berry, Detective James Sizemore, Detective Kyle Gray, Deputy Daniel Grigsby and his K-9 “Edge”, Deputy Tommy Houston, and Deputy Josh Scott. Assisting for Knox County Sheriff’s office – Sheriff Mike Smith, Sgt. Carl Bolton, and Deputy William Stewart. Also assisting was London police officer Randy Medlock.