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Convicted Murderer Recaptured in Florida After Erroneous Release
Authorities have apprehended a convicted murderer who was mistakenly freed from custody in March. The inmate was located and taken back into custody in Florida on Friday, officials have confirmed.
Swift Recapture by U.S. Marshals
Kathan Guzman was detained without incident by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest comes after Guzman’s erroneous release from a Georgia jail.
The U.S. Marshals Service has not yet issued a public statement regarding the apprehension. WXIA-TV, an NBC affiliate, reported that Guzman is currently being held in Florida pending extradition.
Details of Conviction and Mistaken Release
Guzman received a life sentence in October 2024 for a murder committed in Clayton County, Georgia, stated Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen. Reports from WXIA-TV indicate Guzman was convicted of the 2022 murder of his girlfriend, 19-year-old Delila Grayson.
Sheriff Allen explained that Guzman was awaiting transfer to the Georgia Department of Corrections to begin serving his life sentence when he was erroneously released from the Clayton County Jail on March 27. Officials discovered the error on Tuesday after the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office inquired about Guzman’s whereabouts.
Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Apprehension
Following the discovery of the mistake, Sheriff Allen stated that he activated the office’s fugitive unit, contacted local law enforcement agencies for assistance, and provided all pertinent information to the U.S. Marshals Service. Investigators determined Guzman had traveled outside of Georgia.
Arrest in Ocoee, Florida
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that U.S. Marshals Service agents successfully apprehended Guzman in Ocoee, Florida, on Friday morning.
Investigation into Erroneous Release Underway
The circumstances surrounding Guzman’s mistaken release from jail remain unclear.
Internal Investigation and Potential Disciplinary Actions
“The reason for the release is currently under investigation, and disciplinary measures are pending,” Sheriff Allen stated. “Upon completion of the investigation, those responsible may face termination from the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.”