On April 5, 2017, the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division was contacted by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force regarding a fugitive tracked to Red River Parish. The agents were assisting the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office in its search for escaped inmate Jason Meshell. Meshell, whowas being held in the Sabine Detention Center on a parole violation for possession of Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, as well as, failing to register as a sex offender, escaped from the facility on March 28, 2017. He was also facing current charges of obstruction of a public passage, careless operation, resisting by flight, flight from an officer and switched plates. Agents developed information which indicated that Meshell, along with an accomplice, was hiding at a private residence located on U.S. Hwy 71 south of Coushatta.
A tactical plan was developed with anticipation that the suspect would attempt to flee. Deputy U.S. Marshals and Red River Parish Sheriff’s deputies deployed to the target residence and set up a perimeter which included aerialsurveillance by the Red River Parish Sheriff’s recently acquired drone. The Red River Parish Sheriff’s apprehension K-9, along with support personnel, was positioned in the area to the rear of the residence.
As the entry team approached the residence, the suspect exited a rear window and ran into a wooded area directly behind the house. When the suspect failed to obey verbal commands and warnings from deputies, the K-9 was deployed and successfully apprehended the escapee. Meshell was subsequently handcuffed and escorted to an awaiting sheriff’s patrol unit. Red River Parish EMS responded to the scene and treated the suspect for the dog bite.
Four individuals followed the instruction of the officers and were detained upon exiting the residence. The entry team entered the residence and located a fifth individual who was later identified as the suspected accomplice.Cassie D. Ezernack, W/F, age 24 of the 400 block of Garcie Road Zwolle, LA was taken into custody without further incident. She was booked into the Red River Parish Jailon two fugitive warrants from Sabine Parish for Principle to Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Principle to Simple Escape.
After receiving treatment at Christus Coushatta hospital for the injuries sustained during his apprehension, Jason S. Meshell, W/M, age 36 of the 400 block of Garcie Road, Zwolle, LA was transportedto the Red River Parish Jail. He was booked on two fugitive warrants from Sabine Parish for Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Simple Escape. He was also charged with Resisting an Officer for his actions during his apprehension.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. later that evening, both Ezernack and Meshell were released into the custody of the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. A detainer will be placed on Meshell by the RRPSO for the pending charge in Red River Parish.