Two Inmates Escape from Ontario Prison, One Remains At-Large

 

Two inmates escaped from Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario at approximately 9:05 MST this evening by cutting a hole through two perimeter fences.

 

One inmate was immediately apprehended by an officer patrolling roads circling the outside of the prison. The second inmate remains at large.

 

Prison staff have completed a search of the institution in the event that the inmate had remained inside. Oregon State Police officers and Malheur County sheriffs are conducting a search of the areas surrounding the prison.

 

At large is Lee Knoch, a 23-year old white male from Yamhill County. He is 6' tall, 185 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a blue chambray shirt.

 

Knock was admitted to prison on April 20, 1998. His projected release date was in 2034. He was convicted of five counts of aggravated murder, seven counts of assault I, one count of assault II, two counts of kidnapping I, eight counts of theft by extortion, three counts of assault IV and two counts of harassment.

 

Captured was Aaron O'Hara, 23, who was serving 75 months from Washington County for one count of sodomy II, two counts of sex abuse I, and two counts of rape I.

 

The escape is under investigation by Department of Corrections investigators and the Oregon State Police.