In a baffling and concerning situation, authorities are now searching for a 27-year-old inmate who was mistakenly set free by the Clark County Jail instead of being returned to Oregon custody. The Oregon Department of Corrections (ODC) reported on Sunday that Maurice Xavier Haynes was released in error after a court appearance with Judge Gregerson, even though he was supposed to return to the Oregon State Penitentiary.

Clark County officials have stated that an error during Haynes’ booking process led to his release on October 28 at 8 p.m., allowing him to walk free instead of returning to serve his 15-month sentence for first-degree criminal mischief. This raises serious questions about how such a critical error could have been overlooked. How does a slip in paperwork end with a convicted inmate on the streets? The public relies on law enforcement to keep dangerous situations at bay, and these are mistakes that simply cannot happen.

In a message forwarded by ODC, Clark County issued an apology, expressing “sincerest apologies” for the incident and assuring that they are “reviewing and analyzing how this occurred to prevent this from happening in the future.” But for many, an apology feels insufficient; trust in the system relies on competency, and there’s no room for error when public safety is at stake.

Haynes, who stands 6'1" and weighs 170 pounds, has a tattoo reading “Markisha” on his right forearm. He was scheduled for release in September 2025. Officials urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement immediately.