Inmate Has 'Short' Look At Freedom

Sunday is typically considered a "day of rest" - at least in the Bible.

Some professions, however, don't get a "day off".

That was apparent May 17, when local law enforcement and other emergency responders found themselves looking for an escaped inmate.

Javier Ayala, 38, saw a chance - he took it, but not for long.

"(Ayala) took off," said Grant County Sheriff James Biddle. "We set up a perimeter pretty quickly, making it difficult for him to go anywhere."

Ayala was being brought back in from the exercise yard,  when he was noticed missing at 4:04 p.m.

Thirty-one minutes later, at 4:35 p.m., he was back in custody after being located within approximately one block of Grant County Jail.

"We got him in the alley in the area of 123 East Central - hiding," Biddle said.

The search for Ayala was a coordinated effort between Grant County Dispatch, Grant County Sheriff's deputies, Ulysses Police Department officers, and personnel from Grant County Emergency Medical Services.

Biddle said Ayala was taken back into custody without further incident. He did not resist arrest and no one was hurt.

Ayala was originally in custody on charges out of Stanton County, Kan. Those charges include aggravated kidnapping and a number of others.

"He is also now facing aggravated escape from custody charges," Biddle said. "The case has been turned over to the Grant County Attorney for those pending charges."

Biddle said there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. In a press release, Biddle said he has ordered an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ayala's escape.

"The investigation is ongoing and will examine how the incident occurred, as well as what corrective actions or security measures may be necessary to help prevent similar incidents in the future," he said.

A 2006 graduate of Stanton County High School, Ayala's name appeared in the police logs in January and April of 2026, and August of 2025. He has been an inmate at Grant County this time around since April 28, being arrested on a Stanton County hold. His bond in that matter was set at $150,000, cash or surety.