Search for escaped inmate Curtis Watson narrowed in Tennessee

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has narrowed its focus in the search for escaped inmate Curtis Watson after receiving a credible tip, authorities said Saturday night.

"I feel confident saying they're on the right track," Lauderdale County District Attorney Mark Davidson said.

Davidson said he was not on the scene and couldn't confirm reports that authorities had Watson cornered but said law enforcement was searching a smaller area and helicopters were being used to aid in the search.

Law enforcement officials were searching a wooded area Saturday night off Highway 371 not far from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary. Roads in the area have been blocked off.

TBI officials said Saturday night that they did not have an update on the search for Watson. The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office referred questions to TBI.

Watson, 44, went missing from the West Tennessee State Penitentiary Wednesday morning after Debra Johnson, a corrections administrator at the prison, was found dead.

Johnson, 64, worked for the Tennessee Department of Corrections for almost four decades as a correctional sergeant, deputy warden and warden and was the first TDOC employee to be killed in the line of duty in 15 years.

TBI officials announced on Thursday they secured warrants against Watson on first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated sexual battery charges in relation to Johnson's death.

Saturday afternoon, TBI said it had received 369 tips but no credible sightings had been reported. TBI officials said Watson could still be in the area near where he escaped and increased the reward money being offered for the capture and conviction of Watson to $57,000.

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Officials also released new photos of tattoos that could be used to identify Watson on Saturday. TBI also said he had a circular tattoo on the left side of his neck but that they did not have photos of that tattoo to disseminate.

Watson was serving a 15-year prison sentence for especially aggravated kidnapping at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary in Henning, about 60 miles north of Memphis, when he escaped.

Contributing: Daniel Connolly and Ariel Cobbert

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee escapee Curtis Watson: TBI investigators narrowing search