For Immediate Release

Panama City, FL – The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Panama City arrested an escapee today from the Indiana State Prison, in Michigan City who’s been on the lam since last Friday. Jason Garmon, 30, was serving a 7 year and 10 year prison sentence for Attempted Robbery and Robbery. Garmon was assigned to a work detail when he escaped from the prison April 16. According to police reports the next day Garmon stole a black 2001 Dodge Ram Van and traveled to Panama City Florida where he checked into the Relax Inn on Harrison Avenue under the alias ‘Jason Teer’. Task Force investigators learned that he checked out earlier today and was headed to the bus station. Upon arriving at the bus station deputies interviewed an employee of Greyhound who identified Garmon as man who purchased a ticket to Miami under the name Jason Teer and had already boarded the bus. At approximately 3:30p.m., Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers from Bay County Sheriff’s Office boarded the bus and arrested Garmon without incident. Garmon was in possession of a stolen cell phone and approximately $8,800 which was seized and held as possible evidence.  Garmon was booked into the Bay County Jail where he will be held until he is extradited back to Michigan.

This evening at 6:45, Gary Lee Welcher was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola with Task Force Officers from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at a house on the 1000 Block of W. LaRua Street. Welcher was wanted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Since May of 2008 for Violation of Probation based on a charge in Escambia from Possession of Photographs showing Sexual Performance by a Child. At about 8’oclock, the Task Force caught up with Christopher Thomas Britt,47, wanted by ECSO for Sexual Assault on a Child Over 12 but Under 16, Battery and Kidnapping. Britt was captured at a house on the 10000 block of Chemstrand Road in Pensacola. Welcher and Britt were arrested without incident and brought to the Escambia County Jail.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.