Nevada Prison Escapee Seized in Sherman Oaks
A man who escaped from the Nevada State Prison in 1983 and reportedly was hired to kill Prison Director George Sumner was captured in Sherman Oaks, Nevada authorities said Friday.
Los Angeles authorities took Gregory McWilliams, 35, into custody without incident at an apartment Wednesday, Atty. Gen. Brian McKay said. He was living under the alias of James G. Johnson Jr., McKay said.
Investigators found $280,000 in cash, small quantities of drugs, two late-model Mercedes-Benz cars and a 1988 Jeep Eagle.
McWilliams escaped Sept. 10, 1983, by impersonating another inmate who was to be released on parole. At the time, McWilliams was serving a 55-year prison term for robbery, attempted robbery and battery in Las Vegas.
There were reports from law enforcement officials that McWilliams had accepted a contract to kill Sumner, but no attempt was ever made on the director’s life.
McKay said authorities tracked McWilliams through Louisiana, Oregon and California. He said the investigation intensified in the past six weeks when information was received that McWilliams was in the Los Angeles area.
McWilliams was being held in the Los Angeles County Jail without bail pending extradition to Nevada.
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