Iowa Jail Error: Man Released After Being Held Past Sentence

Johnson County, IA – The Johnson County Sheriff's Office says a jail error resulted in an inmate remaining in custody for several days longer than legally required after officials failed to receive a court order ending his sentence.

According to the sheriff's office, officials reviewed the detention of Maudin Gonzales after receiving an email Sunday, Sept. 21, raising concerns that he remained jailed more than 48 hours after his sentence was discharged.

Gonzales had been arrested Aug. 16 on an operating while intoxicated charge and two traffic offenses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also placed a detainer on him, authorities said.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to the OWI charge Sept. 14 and was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for time served. The sheriff's office said a dispositional order was issued that morning but was never received by the jail.

Under the ICE detainer requirements described by the sheriff's office, ICE had 48 hours to take custody after Gonzales was released on his local charges and the agency was notified. Had the jail received the Sept. 14 order, officials said Gonzales should have been released or transferred to ICE by Sept. 16.

The sheriff's office said jail personnel reviewed court filings Sunday after learning Gonzales believed he should have already been released, but staff did not locate a discharge order. A new release order was received Monday afternoon.

After an advocacy group contacted the sheriff's office Monday evening, officials reviewed the case, confirmed the earlier order with staff and contacted the Johnson County Attorney.

Gonzales was released from custody at 5:07 p.m. Tuesday.

The sheriff's office said it is reviewing what happened and working with court officials and the public defender's office to prevent a similar incident.