Avoyelles Parish inmate apprehended after brief kitchen escape

MARKSVILLE, La. (WNTZ) – A kitchen trustee inmate assigned to the Avoyelles Parish DC-1 facility briefly escaped custody Monday morning while unloading a food delivery truck but was apprehended within minutes.

According to the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Tony Morris of Raceland fled on foot around 8:07 a.m. while performing his assigned duties at the facility’s kitchen. Deputies, along with officers from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police and Marksville Police Department, responded quickly and located Morris at approximately 8:14 a.m. He was taken back into custody without incident.

Sheriff David L. Dauzat praised the fast and coordinated response of local law enforcement.

“I sincerely appreciate the swift and professional actions of our APSO personnel, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police, and the Marksville Police Department,” said Dauzat. “I’d also like to thank the public for remaining vigilant and promptly reporting any suspicious activity.”

Authorities have not released details regarding additional charges Morris may face as a result of the attempted escape.