Escaped Decatur County inmate captured

LEON — An inmate — who escaped from Decatur County Jail Friday — was captured by local and state law enforcement officers shortly before midnight Saturday.

James Michael Murphy, 43, escaped from the jail during a clothing change around 8 p.m. Friday. Residents in southern Iowa were notified Friday evening and Saturday about the escape and that Murphy was considered dangerous. Law enforcement did receive a tip late Saturday evening that led to Murphy being arrested in a camper on SE Q Street in Leon. He was taken into custody without incident.

Murphy was being held in jail on charges of first-degree kidnapping and second-degree sexual abuse. He now faces another charge of escape from lawful custody.

Assisting in Murphy’s capture were: police officers from Leon, Lamoni and Osceola; sheriff deputies from Decatur and Clarke; Iowa State Patrol and Decatur County Conservation.