The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is still looking for a man who escaped from an Ohio prison over 50 years ago, according to a spokesperson with the USMS Northern District of Ohio.

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Lester Eubanks, 81, escaped from the Ohio State Penitentiary in 1973 while serving a life sentence for the death of 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener.

The USMS worked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to release age progression photos of Eubanks.

The spokesperson said the original image was completed in August 2019, but the USMS Cold Case Unit and NCMEC have been updating it since then.

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The USMS hopes the updated photos lead to new tips from the public, according to the spokesperson.

Eubanks killed Deener on Nov. 14, 1965, while she was walking to the laundromat.

The spokesperson said Eubanks was out on bond at the time for an attempted rape.

A jury found Eubanks guilty of murder while perpetrating rape on May 25, 1966. He was sentenced to death for his crimes two days later.

Eubanks’ sentence was commuted to life in prison while he was serving his time at the Ohio State Penitentiary in 1972.

Less than two years after the sentence modification, Eubanks was placed in the Ohio Corrections Medical Center and given an “honor assignment,” which allowed him outside of the prison walls.

Eubanks escaped prison while on assignment on Dec. 7, 1973, and hasn’t been seen since, the spokesperson said.

The case was turned over to the USMS Cold Case Unit in northern Ohio in 2016.

“Since then, the USMS has followed up on hundreds of leads and conducted dozens of interviews not only throughout the country, but internationally as well,” the spokesperson said.

Eubanks was officially listed as a USMS 15 Most Wanted Fugitive 45 years after his escape on Dec. 7, 2018. There is a reward of up to $50,000 available for information leading to his location.

The spokesperson said Eubanks was last seen in southern California in the late 1970s and was using the alias “Victor Young.” It is also believed that he was a janitor at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

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After days of searching and a $40,000 incentive, the man wanted in connection to the shooting of two Mifflin Township police officers is in custody, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

A woman is also in custody, accused of harboring the man, according to our news partner WBNS 10TV in Columbus.

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Franklin County SWAT and the US Marshal’s tracked Dixon to an apartment in Obetz, WBNS says.

As officers arrived, the woman, 31-year-old Jayla Call, approached officers and was taken into custody, according to WBNS.

Daveonte Dixon fired shots at officers before shooting himself in the moments leading up to his arrest and is now in the hospital in critical condition, according to WBNS.

Dixon was wanted for attempted murder and felonious assault and had a $40,000 cash reward for information leading to his arrest.

Call was charged with obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence, WBNS says.

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Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said two Mifflin Township police officers were conducting a traffic stop near Mecca Road and Perdue Avenue around 6:45 p.m. on May 28.

The passenger, later identified as Dixon, got out of the car and began running.

“When officers pursued the suspect, he turned around and opened fire, hitting both officers,” the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said.

As previously reported by News Center 7, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin called the shooting “unprovoked.”

Dixon, was taken into custody Friday.

The sheriff’s office said that the driver of the car has cooperated with investigators and is currently not facing any charges.

Dixon has been charged with attempted murder and felonious assault in connection with the shooting.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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• Several suburban communities around Columbus are hosting their own pride events in June.
• These events offer a variety of activities, including live music, food trucks, vendors and resource fairs.

The Columbus Pride Festival is famously the second-largest pride festival across the Midwest, rivaling that of Chicago.

However, with its 2025 theme, “United in Power,” the city of Columbus isn’t the only community holding LGBTQ+ events in June in central Ohio.

Whether you’re looking for a smaller gathering or trying to support a distinct neighborhood, here’s the official guide to suburban pride events in central Ohio.

Worthington

June 1: Kicking off the month, Worthington Pride will be holding its largest pride celebration yet in Old Worthington from 1 to 5 p.m. at its first Sunday Funday event of the year.

The fifth-annual event will have booths for LGBTQ+ organizations, hands-on activities and crafts and local shopping specials. Columbus Pride Bands will be onsite from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Delaware

June 7: Delaware Ohio Pride Festival will take over Boardman Arts Park, located at 154 W. William St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Along with food trucks and 80 different vendors, the festival features entertainment options, including drag shows, performances and a magician, Magic Nate, crafts and more.

Hilliard

June 7: Station Park, located at 4021 Main St. in Old Hilliard, will host the fifth-annual Hilliard Pride from noon to 3 p.m.

The community is invited to support Old Hilliard businesses, listen to live music from SESSION FIVE and learn about central Ohio LGBTQ+ organizations. Shirts will be for sale to benefit Rainbow Hilliard.

Westerville

June 7: Westerville Queer Collective will hold the fifth-annual Westerville Pride Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Birdie Books, 74 N. State St.

The event will include food trucks, local businesses and artists, according to the Facebook event.

Upper Arlington

June 8: Rainbow UA Pride will be held at Amelita Mirolo Barn, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event will feature live music, a guest speaker and a best-dressed pet contest.

Due to space constraints, Rainbow UA is using a timed, staggered entry. For more information, please visit the Eventbrite page.

Grove City

June 21: Pride in GC will hold its Pride Fest 2025 at Town Center Park, 3359 Park St., from 1 to 5 p.m.

The event will include live music from the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, SESSION FIVE and DJ Tony C. Additionally, festivalgoers can check out a resource fair, get their faces painted and enjoy food trucks.

Gahanna

June 26: Held at Headley Park, 1031 Challis Springs Drive in New Albany, Gahanna Pride will include a bounce house, face painting, food trucks and local vendors from 5 to 8 p.m.

Live performances, including drag artists and a guest DJ, will be held throughout the evening.

Sunbury

June 28: Sunbury will host its second-annual pride event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sunbury Square, 51 E. Cherry St.

Organizers are asking interested attendees to notify them through the Facebook event page ahead of time in order to get an estimate of the number of guests.

Granville

June 28: Granville Pride will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on the front lawn of Denison University.

Reynoldsburg

June 28: From 4 to 8 p.m. at Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Drive, the city will hold its 2025 Pride Celebration.

The event will feature music, food trucks, vendors, community groups and a pet parade.

See something missing? Email reporter Sophia Veneziano to add to this list.

Sophia Veneziano is a Columbus Dispatch reporter supported by the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. She may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com. The Dispatch retains full editorial independence for all content.