Texas Authorities Launch Manhunt for Inadvertently Released Convict

Fri Oct 24 2025 09:21:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A Texas convict has gone missing after being "mistakenly" released from jail ahead of his prison sentence.

Police in Harris County are intensifying their search for 36-year-old Tory Dugas, who was unexpectedly let go from jail instead of beginning his seven-year sentence for assault and evading arrest. The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported that Dugas had been held in custody since Thursday on unrelated charges that were later dismissed. An investigation is underway to understand how Dugas's prison sentence was not documented correctly, which led to a premature release at 4:30 AM on Sunday. Officers only realized he was missing during routine checks on Monday, prompting a public appeal for information. This incident is part of a troubling pattern at the Harris County jail, which had a similar mistaken release earlier this year involving a murder suspect.

Police Alert Public to Locate Dugas After Jail Release Flaw

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is urging the public to assist in locating Tory Dugas, a convict who was erroneously released due to paperwork errors.

Authorities in Texas are actively searching for a man who was inadvertently set free from jail prior to starting his prison sentence. Tory Dugas, aged 36, had received a five-year term for assault against a family member and an additional two years for evading arrest. However, he escaped custody on Sunday morning after being held in Harris County jail since Thursday for dismissed charges. The sheriff’s office has launched a thorough investigation into the incident, revealing that clerical errors led to an assumption that Dugas was eligible for release. It wasn't until Monday that officials realized he was missing while reviewing inmate transfer lists. The public has been asked to report any sightings of Dugas. This form of mistaken release is not new to the Harris County jail, which previously let go of a suspected murderer earlier this year, although that individual turned himself in after a day of freedom.

Police are advising anyone who sees Dugas to contact authorities immediately.