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CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Texas man with 5-year prison sentence mistakenly released from Houston jail, manhunt underway
Authorities near Houston are searching for a man who they say was mistakenly released from jail early Sunday morning. According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, 36-year-old Troy Dugas was erroneously released around 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 17 after being held in the Harris County Jail. "Preliminary indications are that jail staff did not properly document his state prison sentence in his file, leading to the mistaken assumption that Dugas was eligible for release once his Harris County charges were dismissed," the sheriff's office said in a press release Monday. Dugas had been sentenced to five years in state prison for assaulting a family member in Fort Bend County and two years for evading arrest in Brazoria County, deputies said. Dugas had also been in the Harris County Jail since Aug. 14 on additional local charges that were later dismissed. Authorities described Dugas as a Black male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 215 pounds, with a tattoo on his neck. Officials are urging anyone who sees him to call 911. "A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to Dugas' erroneous release from jail," This is not the first time an inmate has been mistakenly released from the Harris County Jail, according to CBS affiliate KHOU in Houston. On Feb. 20, Justin Tompkins, 21, who was facing capital murder charges and being held on $750,000 bail since December 2022, was released due to a case of mistaken identity. Jail staff confused him with another inmate of the same name, authorities said. The error was discovered the next day, prompting a search by deputies. Tompkins voluntarily surrendered about 24 hours later, at 8:40 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Prisoner accidentally released from jail before his sentencing
Houston police have launched a manhunt for Troy Dugas, 36, who was mistakenly released from Harris County Jail. Dugas was released on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. due to an error by jail staff. He was due to begin a five-year state prison sentence for assaulting a family member and a two-year sentence for evading arrest. Jail employees failed to properly document his state prison sentence, leading them to believe he was eligible for release after other charges were dismissed. The Harris County Sheriff's Office has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Dugas' erroneous release.
