A Florida jail mistakenly released convicted murderer James Daniels. His days on the run ended in Georgia, where a councilwoman now faces charges.
REYNOLDS, Ga. — A convicted murderer, previously sentenced to life for kidnapping, torture, and murder, was mistakenly freed from a Miami jail, triggering a $30,000 manhunt that concluded in Georgia, with a councilwoman now facing charges.
James Daniels, 60, known as “45,” was captured Wednesday at a property on Mims Street in Reynolds, Georgia. Authorities report that Daniels was discovered at the home of Timishea Price, a Reynolds City Council member. Price was arrested and charged with hindering the apprehension of a criminal, a felony offense.
More on Daniels: Convicted of torture and murder
Reports from other news outlets indicate that corrections officers accidentally released Daniels from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami last week. Investigators describe Daniels as having a history of violent crime.
Five years ago, Daniels and two others kidnapped, tortured and robbed three men in Miami, per prior reporting. Two of those victims died.
Daniels, after serving time for murders in a Lake City, Florida, state prison, was moved to Miami-Dade custody last Wednesday to face further local charges, as CBS Miami reports. However, he was wrongfully released two days later. The Department of Corrections delayed a whole day before informing the U.S. Marshals Service of the release.
Reynolds Police Chief Lonnie Holder said the U.S. Marshals contacted his department around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“They basically asked me if we knew anyone residing at that address,” Holder stated. “Yes, we did, we know the address belongs to Ms. Price. I confirmed this, and they said they’d be there in an hour.”
Arrest in Reynolds, Georgia, at councilwoman’s home
With assistance from the Reynolds Police Department, the U.S. Marshals surrounded Price’s home, apprehending Daniels without incident. Holder noted that his officers provided support while federal agents spearheaded the investigation.
“Of course, that’s alarming to us that we had a fugitive in Reynolds,” Holder said. “So my job as chief of police is to make sure that my citizens are safe.”
Ruby Wilder, who lives across the street from Price, witnessed the operation unfold. She said she saw approximately 10 police vehicles and officers carrying long rifles converge on the property.
“When I was me and my brother in the house, and I saw all the police trucks and things with the lights on it, and I told my brother, ‘Something is going on,'” Wilder said.
Wilder described Price as a good neighbor who suffers from seizures and other health conditions. She said she regularly checks on Price and was troubled by the arrest.
“I don’t know, but it bothered me, you know, because I know she was such a good person,” Wilder said. “Whatever the reason she did, I don’t know. But why are they trying to make her out of just a bad person? She’s not. She’s a good person.”
According to a release from the Reynolds Police Department, warrants were being sought for Price on charges of hindering the apprehension of a criminal. However, Price was seen at her home on Thursday and declined to comment.
The Reynolds Police Department said Price was released on a $5,000 bond. It remains unclear whether the charges will proceed or be dropped.
The Reynolds Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming. Authorities have not revealed how Daniels knew Price or why he traveled to Reynolds after his release from the Miami jail.
Daniels remains in custody and will face charges related to his escape and the original crimes for which he was convicted.
