Accused rapist back in jail

(MCALESTER, Okla.) - A man accused of rape has been returned to jail nearly two months after he escaped. <br><br>Michael Ray Gibson, 38, was captured in Tulsa after someone reported to police that he was

Monday, March 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(MCALESTER, Okla.) - A man accused of rape has been returned to jail nearly two months after he escaped.

Michael Ray Gibson, 38, was captured in Tulsa after someone reported to police that he was living in a salvage yard, authorities said. Officers raided Dawson Body Shop on Saturday.

Gibson is now being held in the Pittsburg County Jail in McAlester, where he was booked Sept. 21 on charges of kidnapping and raping a woman.

Gibson made two escape attempts before he was successful, authorities said.

A jailer discovered Oct. 8 that Gibson had chiseled a hole in the floor of his Pittsburg County cell and he was charged with attempted escape. Two days later, he jumped out of a jail van as it traveled down Carl Albert Parkway. He was captured after a brief chase.

Gibson was charged with prostituting a 14-year-old girl to a McAlester man in exchange for transportation and drugs. He also was charged with the rape and prostitution of a 15-year-old girl to an Indianola man for money and drugs, and the rape of another 15-year-old girl.

Gibson was moved to the Hughes County Jail for his protection after those charges were filed.

He escaped from that jail Jan. 9.

From now on, when Gibson is removed from his cell he will be shackled, handcuffed and escorted by two officers, said Pittsburg County Sheriff Jerome ``Snookie'' Amaranto.

``Any time he makes a move, we will have two officers with him,'' the sheriff said.