The Paola Police Department has confirmed that 38-year-old Jason Hale, a violent sex offender who walked away from a Johnson County work release program is in custody in the Miami County Jail. On October 21st, he had been in the Miami County house, a sexual predator transition house program located at the Osawatomie State Hospital. Hale was dropped off at his employer in Edgerton and never returned. A warrant was later issued by the state of Kansas for his arrest. On Wednesday, Hale was seen at the First Option Bank in Paola. He was tracked down and apprehended early this morning in Ottawa, with the help of the Paola Police Department, Ottawa Police Department, Franklin County Sherrif’s Office, Maimi County Sherrif’s Office, and the US Marshall’s office. The incident is still under investigation and authorities are urging anyone who had any contact with Hale, between October 21st and November 2nd to call local authorities.
