Arrest warrant issued as search continues for escaped Scott County Jail inmate

Judge David Dolan issued an arrest warrant Friday for Joshua David Musgrove, 31, of Chaffee, Missouri, who escaped from Scott County custody Thursday.

Musgrove had a parole violation hearing Thursday in front of Dolan where he learned his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to serve 20 years in the Missouri Department of corrections. Musgrove’s case dates to 2014 when he assaulted a man and a woman and he was charged with first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Musgrove was being transported back to the Scott County Jail from the Scott County courthouse in Benton and he was assigned to his regular work detail, according to a news release from Capt. Jerry Bledsoe. Musgrove fled out of a service gate that was left unsecured, Bledsoe wrote.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Scott City Police Department, Morley Police Department and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Department participated in a search, which was scaled back at midnight Thursday, Bledsoe wrote. Deputies using a dog were able to locate a piece of jail clothing Musgrove discarded in the woods a short distance from the jail, Bledsoe wrote.

Musgrove is considered dangerous and sheriff’s deputies ask anyone with information to call (573) 545-3525.

The original warrant for parole violation was issued May 16. Musgrove was arrested July 21 and had been in the Scott County Jail since that time. Musgrove also faces charges from May of first-degree assault, felonious restraint and rape in Pemiscot County. Musgrove was scheduled for a hearing on that case in front of Judge Fred Copeland on Oct. 4.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

120 New Madrid St., Benton, Mo.