Scott Captured After Multi-County Manhunt
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With captured fugitive Ewel Scott are (from left) Yalobusha County Deputy (Capt.) Taylor Byford, Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps and Tallahatchie County Deputy Jerry Williams II.
– Photo by Lt. Chantryce Morris/Panola County Sheriff’s Office
CHARLESTON – The multi-agency search for fugitive Ewel Scott came to an end last Thursday morning, August 14, when he was captured north of Charleston in Tallahatchie County after weeks of evading law enforcement.
Authorities reported that Scott, 44, was arrested around 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of Mudline and Howard roads, an area that had been the focus of an intensive search involving deputies from Tallahatchie, Panola, Yalobusha and other agencies. Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch said his deputies had worked into the early hours Thursday morning before returning home for a short break, then headed back later that morning as the search continued.
Yalobusha deputies became involved on August 11 after Scott was reportedly spotted on Enid Teasdale Road, near the Tallahatchie–Yalobusha County line. From that point, Gooch said his office committed manpower to assist Tallahatchie and Panola authorities in the ongoing search.
The break came when Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps spotted Scott sitting in an inoperable vehicle at a residence. Scott bolted when confronted, and officers were able to bring him into custody after a short chase.
Yalobusha County Chief Deputy Thomas West said Scott had left behind a trail of stolen property in the days leading up to his capture.
“It looked like he was just stealing things to steal them. He left a trail behind,” West said. “I ended up finding a chainsaw, a backpack and a grease gun on the side of the road.”
Scott is wanted for a string of burglaries in Panola and Tallahatchie counties, according to authorities. Gooch reported that he may also be linked to thefts in Yalobusha County.
West added that Scott later admitted to watching officers from the edge of the woods as they searched for him.
“He told us he’d be sitting right there on the edge of the woods, watching law enforcement drive by,” West explained.
This was the second manhunt in recent weeks that brought together deputies from multiple counties and agencies, using drones and tracking dogs in the search. Gooch noted that while drones equipped with infrared sensors were useful at night, they were less effective during the day, and even then results were limited. Tracking dogs also struggled in the sweltering heat and dry ground.
This isn’t the first time Scott has run from authorities. In 2020, he escaped from the Yalobusha County Detention Center while serving time for felony taking of a motor vehicle. He remained on the run for 31 days before being caught in Tallahatchie County. At the time of that capture, Scott was reportedly surviving off the land in old camouflage clothes, sleeping in an abandoned truck and catching fish at night along the Yocona River.
Other arrests reported by the sheriff:
• Chelsey Hastings – Arrested August 17 at her residence in the Water Valley Boat Landing community on an arrest warrant.
• Christopher Meadows – Arrested August 16 at his residence in Oakland on a justice court warrant.
• Stephen Dowdy – Arrested August 15 on County Road 229 on a warrant for motor vehicle theft. The stolen truck was taken between August 8–12 from a hunting/fishing camp on County Road 463. The vehicle was later located after being spotted abandoned in Grenada County.
• Tydarius Kimble – Arrested on August 13 on I-55 for DUI (second offense).
• James Williamson – Arrested August 8 in Enid for simple assault.
• Larry Stricklin – Arrested August 7 in Water Valley area on a domestic violence charge.
• Bradley Avant – Arrested August 5 in Water Valley for reckless driving after driving over 114 mph and running two stop signs.
• Danny Wilkins – Arrested August 1 on County Road 211 for possession of methamphetamine. Wilkins is originally from Meridian.
• Morris Banton – Arrested August 1 in the Water Valley Boat Landing community for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
• Calvin Weston – Arrested July 28 during a traffic stop on Highway 51 in Oakland. Charged with DUI (first offense) and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.
• James Brown – Arrested July 28 at County Road 170 and Highway 32 for DUI (first offense).
• Matthew Walters – Arrested July 27 in Oakland for disorderly conduct.
• Cefus Shaw – Arrested July 26 on Highway 32 East for DUI (first offense), no driver’s license, no insurance. Shaw was involved in a motor vehicle wreck.
• Davidron Logan – Arrested July 24 in Water Valley on a civil contempt warrant.
• Madison Woods – Arrested July 20 on County Road 53 for joyriding, driving with a suspended license, and no insurance.
• Michelle Logan – Arrested July 19 during a traffic stop at Highway 51 for driving with a suspended license, no insurance, improper equipment, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule IV pills, and possession of paraphernalia.
• Kenneth McClendon – Arrested July 19 in Coffeeville for misuse of 911 after making multiple calls.
