MIAMI COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect who absconded from a work release program in Johnson County.

On Wednesday, police in Paola issued an alert to locate 38-year-old Jason Hale.

The known violent sex offender also wanted by the US Marshals office was last known to be in Gardner prior to coming to Paola to a local bank on Wednesday, according to Paola police.
The suspect purchased camping supplies, a bicycle and a Halloween “Jason” mask in Gardner before his capture.

Authorities did not release details of the arrest. Hale has a previous conviction for aggravated indecent liberties with a child from 2009, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.