Police in Texas are on the lookout for Tory Dugas, a 36-year-old man who was released from Harris County Jail “mistakenly” while awaiting transfer to state prison. Dugas was sentenced to five years following an assault on a family member and an additional two years for evading arrest. The incident occurred at 04:30 local time on Sunday, after Dugas had been in custody since Thursday for other charges that were subsequently dismissed.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office stated that a thorough investigation is currently underway to ascertain how this erroneous release occurred. Initial findings suggest that jail staff may have failed to document Dugas’s state prison sentence correctly, leading to the belief that he was eligible for release. It was only on Monday morning, during a routine check of individuals slated for transfer to state custody, that officials realized Dugas was missing.
The police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information regarding Dugas’s whereabouts. This unfortunate incident is not an isolated one, as the Harris County Jail has faced similar mix-ups in the past. Earlier this year, an individual charged with capital murder was erroneously released due to a mix-up with someone sharing his name, but fortunately turned himself in within 24 hours.
The situation has sparked concern regarding the protocols followed in local detention facilities, emphasizing the importance of meticulous documentation to avoid repeat incidents. As the manhunt progresses, officials remain vigilant in securing the re-arrest of Dugas.
