Daughter Pleas for Gillespie to Turn Himself In

Joe Lyons • May 26, 2023

*UPDATE – May 24 – 3:30 p.m.* Two Individuals Confirmed Missing from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution

LIMA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC), United States Marshal Service (USMS), Henderson (Ky.) Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Henderson County (Ky.) Sheriff’s Office, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and local, state, and federal law enforcement partners continue to work toward the apprehension of one of two inmates who escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI) this week.

Yesterday evening, the Ohio State Highway Patrol released information to law enforcement agencies in multiple states on the escapees and the vehicle they were believed to be driving.

The vehicle, a red Mercury Capri stolen from Auglaize County, was located by officers from the Henderson Police Department earlier today, and a pursuit ensued. Following the pursuit, James Lee was taken into custody, but Bradley Gillespie was not apprehended. Law enforcement officers continue to saturate that area in search of the escaped inmate.

To support the work to locate Gillespie, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has deployed resources to the Henderson area. Troopers from the Patrol’s Aviation Unit will aid in the search from the air, and troopers from the Patrol’s Special Response Team will help on the ground under the authority of the USMS. Additionally, troopers from the Patrol’s Office of Investigative Services will be assisting with the criminal investigation. The apprehension of Gillespie remains the focus of all involved.

The Patrol continues to investigate how Lee and Gillespie escaped. The safety of the community in the area of AOCI remains the priority of local law enforcement, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction. AOCI is operating with limited, controlled inmate movement and an internal investigation by ODRC is underway.

A reward of up to $21,000 remains in place for information that leads to the capture of Gillespie. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Findlay Patrol Post at 419-423-1414 or the USMS at 1-866-4WANTED. If encountered, members of the public should not approach Gillespie and should contact 9-1-1 immediately. Relevant updates will continue to be provided at @OSHP_NWOhio on Twitter.

Editor’s Note: Below is the joint media release released by the OSHP and ODRC on May 23.

LIMA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are investigating after two inmates, Bradley Gillespie, 50, and James Lee, 47 escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI) .

Today, during a prisoner count at 11:00 a.m., ODRC officials determined Lee was missing. Angela Stuff, AOCI warden, approved an emergency count of all prisoners in the facility and escape posts were manned. During the emergency count, it was discovered Gillespie was also missing. The ODRC notified law enforcement and officers from multiple jurisdictions, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Patrol responded to the facility.

During the course of the investigation, prison officials determined Gillespie and Lee were last observed on surveillance video inside the facility at 8:41 a.m. on May 22.

The Patrol continues to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate potential leads. The United States Marshal Service, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office are offering up to a $21,000 dollar reward for information that leads to the capture of Gillespie and Lee.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Findlay Patrol Post at 419 -423-1414 or the United States

Marshal Service at 1-866-4WANTED. If either escapee is located by the public, do not approach them and contact 9-1-1 immediately.

ODRC is also conducting an internal investigation. Sheriff Matthew Treglia will provide an update to the community at 6 a.m. on May 24 at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

Relevant updates will be provided on Twitter at @OSHP_NWOhio.

Editor’s Note: Below is the original media release released by ODRC on May 23.

(Lima, Ohio) – Officials at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction have confirmed that two individuals have escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI). Below are the details regarding each individual who is confirmed missing.

Name: Bradley Gillespie

Number: 730242

Admission Date: 11/04/2016

County: Paulding

Crimes(s): Murder

DOB: 05/11/1973

Name: James Lee

Number 785575

Admission Date: 03/08/2021

County: Allen and Auglaize Counties

Crime(s) Burglary, B&E, Safecracking, Judicial Sanction

DOB: 02/17/1976

Officials at the prison are working closely with local law enforcement on searching for and apprehending these individuals.

These individuals should be considered dangerous. Anyone who sees either of these individuals or has any information regarding their whereabouts should call 911 immediately.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is on-site and leading the investigation. The attached escape flyer has been provided to local law enforcement.