Large reward offered for info on 3 escaped Mississippi inmates

From the MDOC:

REWARDS up to $12,500 OFFERED for 3 ESCAPEES AS SEARCH INTENSIFIES

JACKSON – Rewards up to $12,500 are now being offered for three escaped inmates as the Mississippi Department of Corrections continues to aggressively search for them with the help of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

The FBI is offering $10,000 and the Mississippi Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,500 for the capture of inmates Benny Ray Blansett, Jonathan Blankenship, and Christopher Benson High.

“We have been able to intensify and expand our search with the help of fellow law enforcement agencies and hope that the rewards will bring in even more tips that will lead us to the whereabouts of these three fugitives,” Commissioner Pelicia E. Hall said. “The department appreciates how other law enforcement agencies have joined in this search without hesitation in the interest of public safety.”

Blansett, Blankenship, and High were discovered missing following early morning counts Friday.

Blansett, 59, escaped Unit 30 at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP) at Parchman.

Blankenship, 31, and High, 28, escaped the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Pearl. Both men are considered armed and dangerous.

Commissioner Hall urges the public to call law enforcement.

“We need as many eyes and ears as we can get to find these fugitives,” she said. “We are pursuing all leads and are working around the clock. No matter how minor you may think your information is, we urge you to share it with us. We know that with all of us working together we will find these three men.”

If you see Blansett, Blankenship and High, call the MDOC at 662-745-6611, ext. 4200, Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477), the MBI at 601-987-1530, or your nearest law enforcement agency.

Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers online through the Web Tip link on the home page of the Central MS Crime Stoppers or go to www.P3tips.com