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Prison employee was sexually assaulted, strangled before inmate escaped, affidavit says

According to the affidavit, a cord was found wrapped around her neck, and it was determined she was strangled to death.

Update (8/11/19 12:30 p.m.)-  Curtis Watson, the "extremely dangerous" inmate who escaped from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary, was captured Sunday.

RELATED: TBI: Escaped West TN inmate 'knew he wouldn't get away'

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Tenn. (WMC) - New details from a police affidavit reveal a Tennessee prison employee was sexually assaulted and strangled, Memphis NBC affiliate WMC reports

RELATED: "He could be anywhere" | Search still on for "extremely dangerous" escaped Tennessee inmate, reward raised to $52,500

The search is ongoing for escaped inmate Curtis Ray Watson. He is suspected of killing a prison administrator, Debra Johnson, in her home on prison grounds Wednesday.

RELATED: Children of murdered corrections employee: 'You're not going to get away with this'

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation now has warrants for Watson for first-degree murder, especially aggravated burglary and aggravated sexual battery in connection with Johnson’s death.

RELATED: Escaped inmate was serving 15-year sentence for brutal crime against wife

According to the affidavit, correctional officers saw Watson on a golf cart at Johnson’s house at 8:30 a.m. 

Watson was working as a trustee at the prison at the time and was released from the prison on work detail at 7 a.m. for his duties as a mower.

Investigators said Watson stole a tractor and a reflective vest from the prison and drove away sometime between 9 and 10 a.m. 

Prison officials realized Watson was missing at 11 a.m.

Johnson’s body was discovered at 11:30 when coworkers noticed she had not reported to work.

According to the affidavit, a cord was found wrapped around Johnson’s neck, and it was determined she was strangled to death.

Investigators also found evidence that she had been sexually assaulted. The reflective vest was found inside Johnson’s home.

The tractor Watson is accused of stealing was found at 1:30 p.m., about two miles from the prison. Police also found Watson’s prison identification card.

There is a $52,500 reward offered for any information leading to Watson’s arrest.

If you see Watson, call 911 immediately and don’t approach him. If you have a tip on where he may be headed, contact local law enforcement.

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