MDOC: Inmate mistakenly released from county jail, manhunt prompted
PONTIAC, Mich. (WJBK) - Police are asking the public to be on alert after they say a violent inmate was mistakenly released from a county jail Wednesday night.
Authorities have identified the inmate as Johnny Rodgers. He is currently wanted by the U.S. Marshals, FBI and the Michigan Department of Corrections.
He was last seen at the jail annex in Pontiac, and authorities say he could have traveled anywhere in the tri-county area.
He had been jailed for charges of assault with intent to commit murder, armed robbery and for weapons - felony firearms. He was sentenced in November of 2015 and the crimes had been committed in December of 2014, according to MDOC records.
His earliest release date is listed as August, 29, 2024.
Rodgers is 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 187 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes and is 25 years old. MDOC records lists that he has the following identifying tattoos:
- Tattoo- Center Right Forearm - live for everything die for nothing
- Tattoo- Face
- Tattoo- Front Left Forearm - guy
- Tattoo- Front Neck - CREAM, star
- Tattoo- Front Right Forearm - COD, only the strong survive
- Tattoo- Front Right Hand - loyalty
- Tattoo- Upper Chest - face
- Tattoo- Upper Right Arm - pharaoh, heart
If you see him, call 911. If you know where he is, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP and remain anonymous. A cash reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
He has no money and no cell phone at this time is, and is believed to be in Detroit. He was seen in the 7 Mile and Livernois area Wednesday night. He was wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and Timberland boots.
An MDOC official says he was being held in Oakland County Jail for a court appearance, but was normally housed in G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, Mich.
The Oakloand County Sheriff's Office says Rodgers was sentenced yesterday in 6th Circuit Court for carrying a concealed weapon and for carrying a weapon in a school zone. Rather than being sent to MDOC, he was released in error.
A deputy in the booking section apparently missed the MDOC detainer, the sheriff's office says. An internal investigation has been launched.
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.