Johnnie Rodgers, who was convicted of attempted murder, was mistakenly released from Michigan’s Oakland County Jail on Wednesday. According to reports, authorities were alerted to the mistake by Rodgers’ mother, who was stunned to find her 24-year-old son knocking on her front door.
Officers were immediately dispatched to the woman’s Detroit home. However, it was simply too late. Johnnie Rodgers fled his mother’s house and currently remains at large.
According to reports, Johnnie was an inmate at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, where he was serving 15 for armed robbery and assault with intent to commit murder. However, he was transported to the Oakland County Jail on August 1 to await trial for two unrelated weapon charges.
Detroit News Reports Rodgers was convicted on Wednesday and sentenced to 153 days in jail. As he was in prison since November, 2015, he was credited with time served.
BREAKING: Prisoner accidentally released from Oakland County Jail, prompting manhunt https://t.co/aiUes104xR pic.twitter.com/6Y8ENpgch8
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) August 25, 2016
At the conclusion of the trial, Johnnie Rodgers was supposed to be released into the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections and transported back to the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility. Instead, the inmate was mistakenly released back onto the streets.
Detroit Free Press reports Johnnie was released at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24. Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe confirmed the mistake was not realized until nearly three hours later.
Johnnie Rodgers is described as a black male with short black hair and brown eyes. He is 6? tall and weighs approximately 187 pounds.
Police searching for inmate mistakenly released from Oakland County Jail. https://t.co/H3bSp030ZT pic.twitter.com/ZxbiE3SVX2
— WWMT-TV (@wwmtnews) August 25, 2016
Authorities also confirmed the escapee has numerous tattoos, including a star and the word “CREAM” on his neck and the words “Live For Everything Die For Nothing” on his right forearm.
It is unclear whether he changed his clothes, but the former inmate was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and Timberland brand boots when he was mistakenly released from the Oakland County Jail.
As he was convicted of a violent crime, McCabe advised against approaching the escapee. Instead, he suggests contacting authorities immediately.
McCabe said he believes Johnnie Rodgers is still in the Detroit area because he does not have access to any money or a cell phone. The Undersheriff said the former inmate’s family and friends were reminded to be on the lookout and report any sightings immediately.
The escapee was last seen near the intersection of Livernois Avenue and Seven Mile Road.
The Undersheriff confirmed “there is a cash reward” being offered for information leading to Johnnie’s capture and arrest. Anyone with information about Rodgers’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up or the Sheriff’s Office at 1-888-TURN-1-IN.
According to reports, the Fugitive Apprehension Team and the United States Marshal’s Task Force have joined the search for Johnnie Rodgers.
McCabe confirmed an internal investigation is being conducted to determine how the inmate was mistakenly released. However, he believes it was an unfortunate human error.
During a Thursday Interview, the Undersheriff suggested a “deputy in the booking section” simply noted that the inmate was scheduled to be released. Apparently, the deputy did not realize Rodgers was supposed to be released to the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Although mistakes do happen, McCabe said the jail requires “two deputies in the booking area” during all releases to ensure the information is double checked. He said he has no idea how or why “the breakdown” occurred.
Johnnie Rodgers’ current whereabouts remain unknown, but authorities do not believe he has the means to leave the Detroit area. Although it is not believed that he is armed, anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call 911 immediately and to avoid a confrontation with the escapee.
[Image via Detroit Free Press ]
