SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Central Valley Schools were placed on a precautionary lockout on Tuesday after a work crew inmate walked off his assigned site in Spokane Valley.
A lockout means the front doors are locked but classes inside the building continue as normal, according to school district spokesperson Marla Nunberg.
A spokesperson for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said Johnathan M. Stayon, 22, walked away from his assigned work site near 8th Avenue and McDonald Road in Spokane Valley. Deputies searched the area but were unable to find him.
The spokesperson said Stayton is part of the Geiger Work Crew, which includes the Spokane County Jail and the Geiger Facility. It is not overseen by or part of the sheriff’s office.
Stayton was being held for a violation of a No Contact Order, according to the spokesperson. He is described as a white man, 5’10’’, approximately 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange work vest, blue jacket, maroon T-shirt, blue pants and black boots.
Those who have seen Stayton or know his location are asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 and reference Case No. 10029478.
November lockdown at Central Valley High School
In November, Central Valley High School was placed on a precautionary lockdown after reports of an alleged person with a gun in the area, according to the school district.
The caller said a man was "open carrying" the gun and they did not know whether or not this was legal, according to Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Gregory. The caller said the man was walking toward her.
While authorities found no threat, sheriff's office leaders said the caller did the right thing by reporting something they thought seemed unusual.
