CLEVELAND — A man awaiting trial on an aggravated murder charge was mistakenly released from a county jail in Ohio this week due to a clerical error, authorities said.
A warrant was issued Tuesday for Amarion Sanders, 22, of Cleveland, who was being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $1 million bail. He was mistakenly released Monday after charges were dismissed against a man in an unrelated case, and that defendant’s court case number was somehow entered incorrectly.
Sanders’ trial was due to start Aug. 19. He’s charged with aggravated murder in connection with a September 2023 shooting in Cleveland and has maintained his innocence. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Numerous county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshall’s Office, are involved in the hunt for Sanders.
A typographical error at an Ohio jail recently led to the accidental release of a murder suspect, sparking outrage and concern among law enforcement officials and the public. The mistake occurred when a court order for the suspect’s release was incorrectly processed, allowing him to walk free from custody.
The suspect, who has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a recent homicide, was supposed to remain in jail pending trial. However, due to the typographical error, he was released without proper authorization. The error was discovered only after the suspect had already left the jail, prompting a frantic search to locate and re-arrest him.
Law enforcement officials have expressed frustration and concern over the mistake, emphasizing the importance of accurate record-keeping and communication in the criminal justice system. The incident has raised questions about the reliability of electronic systems and the potential for human error in processing critical information.
In response to the incident, the Ohio Department of Corrections has launched an internal investigation to determine how the error occurred and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The department has also implemented additional safeguards to ensure that court orders are properly verified and processed before any inmate is released from custody.
The accidental release of a murder suspect highlights the potential consequences of even minor errors in the criminal justice system. It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and attention to detail in all aspects of law enforcement and judicial proceedings. As the investigation into this incident continues, authorities are working to ensure that such mistakes do not happen again, and that public safety remains a top priority.
