Pasadena

$20,000 Reward Offered to Find Inmate Mistakenly Released From LA Jail

Steven Lawrence Wright was accidentally released from a Los Angeles jail Saturday. Deputies realized a mistake had been made nearly 33 hours later

A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of a murder suspect who sheriff's officials say was mistakenly released from Los Angeles County jail over the weekend.

The Board of Supervisors made the reward announcement Tuesday morning, three days after Steven Lawrence Wright walked away from the Inmate Reception Center a free man on what the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department called a "clerical error."

Wright had been awaiting trial for a gang-related murder that took place in Pasadena on Jan. 19, 2011. On Saturday, officials said he was released on a contempt of court charge rather than being held on the murder charge.

"Unfortunately, our employees missed the additional information provided by the court on a separate page," said Cmdr. Keith Swensson, a sheriff's department spokesman.

Deputies realized a mistake had been made nearly 33 hours later.

The sister of the man Wright is suspected of killing told NBC4 she is furious with the sheriff's department and believes whoever made the error should be fired.

Sheriff's officials said Wright is assumed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots him is urged to call 911. Tips on his whereabouts can be made at 562-946-7231.
 

Contact Us