WITTENSVILLE, Ky – Police in Johnson County are searching for one of two inmates who escaped from a transport van Friday afternoon in Wittensville. Johnson County Sheriff Dwayne Price told EKB News that just before 1pm, two prisoners managed to escape from a van driven by a Lawrence County Deputy Jailer while stopped at a traffic light on US 23 next to W.R. Castle Elementary School. As a precaution, the school was placed on lockdown. Witnesses at the scene told police they saw the two men, identified as Steve R. Meeks and Justin W. Harless, run into the treeline adjacent to W.R. Castle Cemetery.
Johnson County Deputies and Kentucky State Troopers searched the area, and were able to apprehend Meeks around 2pm. Harless was last seen wearing black shorts and a bright orange t-shirt and is considered dangerous. Police officials are advising anyone who sees Justin Harless to notify the Johnson County Sheriff’s office or call 9-1-1. EKB News will have more on this developing story as it becomes available.