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 loss of life, was nabbed Friday morning after regulation enforcement officers discovered the fugitive hiding out at his mom’s dwelling in Ocoee, the US Marshals Service informed ABC Information.
“Today we tracked him down and got him in custody,” Michael Sonethavilay, deputy commander of the company’s Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Job Drive, stated.
Sonethavilay defined that their Atlanta division “did some digging” and uncovered important data 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 known as a coaching failure and jailers not listening 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 stated that jailers launched Guzman after they reviewed a courtroom 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 stated her workplace was notified Tuesday afternoon that the assassin was mistakenly launched, prompting a large-scale manhunt.
“All appropriate paperwork was sent to the appropriate people,” Moseley informed The Atlantia Journal-Structure.
“We are just as disappointed and pissed off as everybody 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 informed the outlet she felt like she was “in prison” whereas Guzman was on the unfastened, continually wanting over her shoulder in worry he would pop up. Now that he’s again in custody, the shaken mom stated she’s been let loose.
“He’s where he should be,” she stated 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, informed somebody he believed his launch was the results of the next energy and that “God is good,” Allen informed the outlet.
An investigation is now underway into the jail’s mishap.
“The cause of his release is under investigation, and disciplinary actions are pending,” Allen stated in a press release Friday, ABC reported.
“Once the investigation is complete, it may result in the termination of employees within the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.”
Guzman is being held at Orange County Jail as he awaits extradition, jail data present.
With Publish wires.
