Home Two Virginia inmates, including convicted murderer, on the loose after escape
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Two Virginia inmates, including convicted murderer, on the loose after escape

Chris Graham
escapees
Photo: Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority

Update: Friday, 10:32 a.m. The stolen vehicle has been located in Hawkins County, Tenn., and Albert Lee Ricketson, 31, and Johnny Shane Brown, 51, are still at large, according to local authorities.


Update: Thursday, 9:32 p.m. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward each ($10,000 combined) for information leading to the apprehension of the two escapees.


A convicted murderer is among two inmates who escaped from the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority in Abingdon on Thursday.

Albert Lee Ricketson, 31, of Abingdon, who was convicted in a double-murder in Washington County in 2020, is 5’8”, 212 pounds, with brown hair.

Johnny Shane Brown, 51, of Rogersville, Tenn., is 5’11” with gray hair.

Both were last seen wearing red jumpsuits, and possibly white t-shirts.

It is believed these two subjects are travelling in a stolen gold-colored Cadillac SUV that has visible damage on the rear of the vehicle with Virginia license plates of UDZ-6049.

The direction of travel is unknown at this time.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019, and Team of Destiny: Inside Virginia Basketball’s Run to the 2019 National Championship, and The Worst Wrestling Pay-Per-View Ever, published in 2018. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].