Escapee Caught in Ripley
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The Madison County Sheriff’s Department has caught an inmate who was on the run after being furloughed for a funeral, Wednesday. Joe Frank Watkins, 37, was released, Wednesday at 6 a.m. to attend his mother’s funeral in Ripley, a request granted by Judge Don Allen. When he did not return, the sheriff’s department asked for help in locating him. According to Sheriff Woolfork, Watkins, who was serving a 180 day sentence for making meth, was arrested Wednesday night in Ripley. Watkins was tested for drug use and the results showed he was positive for marijuana, methamphetamines, alcohol and barbiturates. He has also been charged with escape.
