Officials: Dangerous Felon Mistakenly Released In Oakland County

PONTIAC (WWJ) - Law enforcement across metro Detroit are on the lookout for a potentially dangerous felon who was mistakenly released from custody in Oakland County.

Officials say 25-year-old Johnny Rodgers was mistakenly released to the public around 6 p.m. Wednesday following an appearance at the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a weapon in a school zone. He's now considered an escapee.

"Following his court appearance, the information we have is that he was returned to the Oakland County Jail, which some point after that they released him in error," Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz told WWJ's Zahra Huber. "When he was at his court appearance, he was given time served for the current charge that he was in the court for. So, it's possible that -- and I don't want to speculate -- but for whatever reason, after that court appearance they released him rather than return him back to our custody, which is what they were supposed to do."

Gautz said the department wasn't notified of Rodgers' release until hours later, around 10:30 p.m.

"We immediately activated our absconder recovery unit team, as well as coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Michigan State Police, and we have been actively searching for him," he said.

Rodgers is less than a year into his seven to 15-year sentence for charges of assault with intent to commit murder, armed robbery and felony firearm, stemming from an incident in Wayne County. He's serving time at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson.

As for how the mix-up happened, Gautz said a deputy in the booking section at the Oakland County jail apparently missed the Corrections Department's detainer on Rodgers. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office has launched an internal investigation regarding the release in error.

Gautz said Rodgers is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. He's described as a black male, 6' tall and 187 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. Rodgers has several tattoos, including the phrases "live for everything, die for nothing" and "only the strong survive" on his right forearm.

Police say Rodgers has no money or cellphone, and believed to be in the city of Detroit. He was last seen in the area of 7 Mile and Livernois. At the time, he was wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and Timberland boots.

A cash reward is being offered for information leading to Rodgers' capture.

Anyone with information on Rodgers' whereabouts is urged to call 911 or contact the Michigan State Police tip line at 1-855-MICH-TIP.