RUSSELLVILLE -- The Pope County jail erroneously released the wrong inmate but took him back into custody about a day later, the sheriff's office said Monday.
Jeffery Hale "impersonated the other inmate" and signed the release documents as that inmate, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
"Both subjects have the same first name," and both were in the booking area where they were waiting for processing June 29, the release added.
As a result, the jail released Hale to another agency, which in turn allowed him to post bond, according to the sheriff's office.
"The error was quickly realized," and authorities found Hale at a Pope County home about 24 hours later, the release said. "He was arrested without incident."
An investigation of the mistaken release is underway, and the jail's administration is taking disciplinary action as a result of the problem.
Hale, who was in jail on drug-related charges, faces additional charges because of the incident, the release said.
Other details were unavailable Monday afternoon. Sheriff Shane Jones did not return phone and email requests for comment.
State Desk on 07/07/2015