Officials with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Georgia Department of Corrections are trying to find a convicted felon after he was released from prison by accident, authorities said.
Tony Maycon Munoz-Mendez, 31, was convicted of rape and aggravated child molestation in Gwinnett County, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records. He was accused of assaulting a girl under the age of 10, Channel 2 Action News reported.
As he awaited his trial, Munoz-Mendez wrote the judge hearing his case a letter claiming he was innocent and saying he wanted to get back to his children, Channel 2 reported.
“I have no family here in the United States to help me out and I have to rely on myself on everything, and it’s hard,” the letter said, in part. “I know I’m innocent.”
Munoz-Mendez had been in prison since April 2015 and was serving three life sentences, records show.
Munoz-Mendez was released “in error” from Rogers State Prison in Reidsville about noon Friday, department spokeswoman Lori Benoit said Monday in a news release.
It’s not clear what led to his release.
The review into the circumstances surrounding Munoz-Mendez’s release is “ongoing, to include a full internal investigation,” according to GDC Director of Public Affairs Joan Heath.
“All resources are being utilized to ensure the rapid apprehension of Munoz-Mendez,” Benoit said. “The public is reminded to call 911 and do not approach.”
Munoz-Mendez is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and about 186 pounds with brown hair and eyes, according to authorities.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact GDC officials at 478-992-5111 or by email at gdc.ciu@gdc.ga.gov.
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