Photo: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
Authorities in New Orleans are actively searching for Khalil Bryan, a 30-year-old inmate who was mistakenly released from the Orleans Justice Center on Friday (July 25). The release resulted from a clerical error where Bryan was confused with another inmate who had a similar last name. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged the mistake, stating, "It was a failure of internal processes, and the public has every right to expect better." She also apologized to the people of New Orleans and assured that an investigation is underway to prevent such incidents in the future.
Bryan, who has a violent criminal history, was being held on multiple charges, including possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, and aggravated assault with a firearm. He also has an active warrant for domestic abuse, child endangerment, and home invasion.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has labeled Bryan a fugitive and urged him to turn himself in. "You are on notice you are a fugitive," she said, adding that anyone found harboring him could face prosecution.
The New Orleans Police Department's Violent Offender Warrant Squad is leading the manhunt for Bryan. Authorities are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the police immediately.
This incident follows a jailbreak in May when 10 inmates escaped from the same facility. While most were recaptured, one inmate, Derrick Groves, remains at large.