Rapist escapes custody during transfer, steals officer's gun.

On Friday, August 4th, Branden Powell overpowered a Paulding County, Ohio Sheriff's Deputy during a transfer. Powell was on route from a Toledo psychiatric facility back to the Paulding County Jail. During his escape he was able remove the officers weapon and ammunition.

(Branden Powell's mugshot. Image source - Paulding County Jail.)

On Saturday Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers stated that FBI agents and U.S. Marshals had joined the search for 32-year-old Branden Powell.

As WHIO reported:

According to [Sheriff] Landers, [Branden]Powell was in leg shackles and in handcuffs secured to a belly belt when he jumped over the seat and put the deputy in a headlock, causing the van to crash into a ditch. Powell managed to get the deputy's gun during a struggle and ordered the deputy at gunpoint to remove his restraints.

Powell then handcuffed the deputy to the steering wheel and disabled the van's police radio and engine before fleeing with the deputy's wallet, cellphone, gun and 30 rounds of ammunition, Landers said.

Sheriff Landers indicated that there were no barriers or dividers of any sort between the transport officer and Powell.

Branden Powell is still on the loose, armed and dangerous. Updates will be made as new information becomes available.

(Article by TRBT Editorial Staff)