A convicted killer who was unintentionally launched from a Georgia jail was recaptured by US Marshals greater than 400 miles away in Florida after two weeks on the run, authorities introduced.
Kathan Guzman, 22, who’s serving a life sentence for strangling his girlfriend to dying, was nabbed Friday morning after regulation enforcement officers discovered the fugitive hiding out at his mom’s dwelling in Ocoee, the US Marshals Service advised ABC Information.
“Right now we tracked him down and acquired him in custody,” Michael Sonethavilay, deputy commander of the company’s Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Activity Drive, mentioned.
Sonethavilay defined that their Atlanta division “did some digging” and uncovered important info that pointed them to the Sunshine State, the place they collaborated with native officers to find Guzman.
Guzman, who was solely 5 months into his jail time period, was let loose from Clayton County Jail in Jonesboro on March 27 over what Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen referred to as a coaching failure and jailers not being attentive to the assassin’s file.
He was handed his life sentence in October 2024 after admitting to murdering 19-year-old Delia Grayson, who was discovered lifeless in a bath in August 2022, WSB-TV reported.
Allen mentioned that jailers launched Guzman after they reviewed a court docket doc that confirmed a movement to not prosecute over a necrophilia cost that didn’t stick at trial – after which failed to identify his homicide and assault by strangulation conviction.
Clayton County District Legal professional Tasha Mosley mentioned her workplace was notified Tuesday afternoon that the assassin was mistakenly launched, prompting a large-scale manhunt.
“All applicable paperwork was despatched to the suitable folks,” Moseley advised The Atlantia Journal-Structure.
“We’re simply as disillusioned and pissed off as everyone else.”
The jail’s error additionally left Christina Grayson, the sufferer’s mom, residing in worry for her security and the general public’s. Grayson lives in Kissimmee – about 26 miles from the place Guzman was captured, WSB reported.
Grayson advised the outlet she felt like she was “in jail” whereas Guzman was on the free, continually trying over her shoulder in worry he would pop up. Now that he’s again in custody, the shaken mom mentioned she’s been let loose.
“He’s the place he ought to be,” she mentioned earlier than questioning if this was a one-time mistake.
She additionally condemned the sheriff’s workplace for not realizing Guzman was mistakenly launched sooner.
Guzman, whereas having fun with his unintended freedom, advised somebody he believed his launch was the results of a better energy and that “God is sweet,” Allen advised the outlet.
An investigation is now underway into the jail’s mishap.
“The reason for his launch is underneath investigation, and disciplinary actions are pending,” Allen mentioned in an announcement Friday, ABC reported.
“As soon as the investigation is full, it might end result within the termination of staff throughout the Clayton County Sheriff’s Workplace.”
Guzman is being held at Orange County Jail as he awaits extradition, jail data present.
With Put up wires.
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