Inmate Unintentionally Released Back In Custody
THE LATEST
YORK COUNTY, S.C. – An inmate, who was previously released erroneously, is back in custody after turning himself in on Wednesday afternoon.
John Michael Snipes returned to the Moss Justice Center and turned himself in without incident around 5 p.m., officials said.
No additional charges will be brought against Snipes.
ORIGINAL STORY
YORK COUNTY, S.C. – Due to a clerical error, the York County Detention Center officers erroneously released an inmate and officers are attempting to located him, according to a news release.
The release states that the inmate, 40-year-old John Snipes, was released on September 10 when an officer did not print Snipes’ sentencing sheet due to a medical emergency in a separate area. The release explains the sentence sheets were overlooked after paperwork from the court came in shortly after.
Snipes was sentenced to seven years in prison on possession of methamphetamine charges and was awaiting transportation to a corrections facility.
“This incident appears to be human error,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “We are conducting a full investigation into what transpired so we can take corrective actions to ensure this mistake is not repeated. We have some tremendous staff who work in an extremely tough environment in the Detention Center. They are often asked to do more with less, and while this error could have been prevented, I am extremely proud of each of the officers who work in that facility. The general public is often completely unaware of the work of those fine officers.”
The York County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit, Crime Suppression Unit and multiple patrol duties are coordinating efforts to find Snipes.
Snipes was last seen at 11:15 p.m. walking towards Old York Road and is described as a white man with short brown hair and brown eyes, standing 5’9″ tall and weighing 155 pounds.
The Sheriff’s Office said he was last seen wearing a white button-up shirt and black pants and is his last known address is an apartment on Kintyre Road in Rock Hill. They also say he is not believed to be armed or a threat to the public.
If you have any information on Snipes’ location, call 911 or the YCSO at 803-628-3059.
