BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office now says a detainee believed to have been mistakenly released from the county jail this week was not released in error, marking a major reversal less than 24 hours after deputies issued a public alert.
It’s the third serious custody issue at the Buncombe County Detention Facility in two months, prompting concerns about jail oversight, communication with courts, and the accuracy of North Carolina’s new eCourts case management system.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE: MAN MISTAKENLY REPORTED AS FUGITIVE DUE TO ECOURTS CLERICAL ERROR
A sheriff’s office spokesperson confirmed to News 13 that an employee was fired on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for violating policy connected to the most recent incident. The office also said other employees were disciplined following two earlier cases, a mistaken release in October and an escape in November. Officials declined to disclose whether any supervisors or jail leadership were among those disciplined.
In an email on Friday, Dec. 5, the sheriff’s office said internal investigations into all three incidents have now concluded. However, the findings will not be released publicly.
“Those investigations have concluded, but since those findings deal with public security concerns relating to process in the jail, they will not be released,” the office said, citing North Carolina General Statute 132-1.7.
On Oct. 2, the sheriff’s office said detainee Joseph Shustek was wrongfully released, calling it a “serious institutional failure” and acknowledging that “the systems in place to prevent such an event failed.”
Joseph Shustek. (Photo: Buncombe County Detention Facility)
Then on Nov. 26, deputies said detainee Jennifer Richards escaped from the jail before being recaptured about 50 minutes later. The agency said at the time that “an internal investigation is underway” and that steps to prevent similar incidents will be taken.
{ }Jennifer Richards, 34. (Photo credit: Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office)
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the sheriff’s office said detainee Corey Howell was mistakenly released and that deputies were searching for him. The office described the situation as “not acceptable” and said staff had “already begun taking the appropriate action to prevent future incidents.”
However, on Friday, Dec. 5, the sheriff’s office reversed course, saying Howell had been legally released and blaming the earlier confusion on an eCourts clerical error involving a charge that should have been recalled before he was arrested.
{ }Corey Howell. (Photo credit: Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office)
UPDATE: BUNCOMBE COUNTY INMATE WAS NOT MISTAKENLY RELEASED, SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS
“It was determined that an eCourts clerical error occurred which should’ve been recalled prior to Mr. Howell being initially apprehended,” the office said.
The sheriff’s office said this is the first known eCourts-related custody error in Buncombe County, and there have been no reports filed with the state about other such issues.