Escapee Captured in Cottonport

On the evening of December 27, 2023, the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office received information that the escapee, 20-year-old Joseph T. Ewing, was located at 256 St. John Street, Cottonport, LA. We were quickly able to verify that information. Deputies and Detectives and local law enforcement agencies from across the Parish converged on the area and set up a perimeter around the residence. APSO requested the assistance of the Louisiana State Police (LSP) SWAT and Negotiators. Shortly after LSP arrived on scene and began operations. After Ewing refused to communicate with LSP Negotiators, they completed a search of the residence. Ewing was found armed with firearms in the attic by the LSP SWAT Team. Ewing was taken into custody without incident. Ewing was arrested by APSO and subsequently booked into the APSO DC-1 Jail facility. The investigation is still ongoing.
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Sheriff David L. Dauzat would like to thank the public for their help, and the Louisiana State Police, Marksville PD, Hessmer PD, Mansura PD, Moreauville PD, Cottonport PD, Plaucheville PD and Evergreen PD for working together with us to apprehend this offender, and safely take him back into custody.