The Rogers County Sheriff's Office says it mistakenly let the wrong inmate walk out of the county jail late Wednesday night, turning a routine release into a short-lived game of hide-and-seek. Claremore police spotted the man a few blocks away at a nearby gas station and quickly brought him back into custody.
How the Mix-Up Happened
According to News On 6, Sheriff Scott Walton said jail staff processed paperwork for an inmate with a similar name, which led to the wrong man being released. "We committed human error, we made a mistake. We'll own that part of it," Walton told the outlet. Claremore officers located the inmate a short time later at the gas station and returned him to the jail.
Sheriff Cites Staffing Strain
Walton has previously warned that his office is stretched thin and that staffing shortages raise the odds of mistakes, according to reporting by 2 News. The station reports he has also flagged concerns about inmate walkaways and the growing challenge of dealing with people who have mental-health needs. Those staffing pressures, Walton said, make procedural slip-ups more likely.
What the Man Was Being Held For
Court records reviewed by News On 6 show the man has prior convictions in Delaware County for drug-related offenses and for carrying contraband into a jail. The outlet reports he had been held in Rogers County since December on a $23,000 bond. Officials have not said whether he will face additional charges tied to the mistaken release.
Next Steps for the Jail
County officials say they plan to review release procedures at the facility. The Rogers County Sheriff's Office lists the Amos G. Ward Detention Center at 201 S. Cherokee Ave. in Claremore on its website, and Rogers County Sheriff's Office contact information is available online for anyone with questions about the case. The sheriff's office says it will take responsibility for the error while it evaluates how the mix-up happened.
