By Missy Wilkinson
The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
NEW ORLEANS — Two deputies have been fired and five are suspended after an inmate was mistakenly released from jail last week due to “human error compounded by inadequate protocol adherence,” Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said Thursday.
More than 14 hours passed between Khalil Bryan’s mistaken release at 1:17 a.m. on July 25 and the notification of the public, OPSO confirmed.
“This incident reflects a failure in execution, and we are taking full accountability,” Hutson said. “The people of New Orleans deserve a jail that operates with precision and professionalism.”
According to a timeline released by Hutson Thursday afternoon, the error wasn’t discovered until late that morning. OPSO notified law enforcement and court officials at 12:45 p.m. and the public at 3:45 p.m. — a delay Hutson called a “calculated and professional response.”
During the May 16 mass escape of 10 inmates, the public was notified about two hours after it was discovered, and about 10 hours after the escape occurred. All except Derrick Groves, a convicted killer, have been recaptured. Officials said they weighed Bryan’s “primarily non-violent charges” and the fact that his release was a human error — not a jailbreak — when deciding whether to go public.
“Before issuing a public notification, our first step was to quietly begin apprehension efforts at known addresses to avoid startling Mr. Bryan and jeopardizing the search,” the statement says.
Bryan’s charges include: aggravated assault with a firearm; domestic abuse child endangerment; home invasion; possession of a firearm by a felon; illegal possession of stolen property; possession of drug paraphernalia; and resisting an officer.
He also had an open warrant in Jefferson Parish tied to a 2023 case where he allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase in a stolen car, ramming a patrol vehicle multiple times on the Westbank Expressway.
Bryan’s was at least the second mistaken release in as many years. In December, the Sheriff’s Office also wrongly freed a felony defendant, David A. Jones, due to a bond paperwork mix-up.
Chief of Corrections Jay Mallett said officials reviewed jail safeguards after the breakdown. Deputies must verify an inmate’s wristband and photo, then formally hand them off to a release deputy with their name, birthdate, release reason and folder number, but some of those things didn’t happen on July 25.
Now, a sergeant or someone of higher rank must approve all releases. OPSO is updating its standard operating procedures and implementing more audits and training.
“This was an avoidable breach of protocol, and we have taken decisive action,” Mallett said.
The Sheriff’s Office did not release any identifying details of the disciplined officers.
Khalil Bryan remains wanted. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911, OPSO at 504-881-7520 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111.
Timeline of events:
— 1:17 a.m. — Khalil Bryan mistakenly released from 1B housing unit.
— 5 a.m. — Count takes place.
— 7 a.m. — Roll Call takes place.
— 11:10 a.m. — OPSO records, in conjunction with partners, realized the error.
— 11:36 a.m. — OPSO begins investigation to locate Mr. Khalil Bryan.
— 12:45 p.m. — We began informing criminal justice stakeholders and those impacted including Criminal District Court, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police and victim.
— 3:45 p.m. — Public notified.
— 6 p.m. — New bond received for Kavin Bryan
— 10:40 p.m. — Kavin Bryan interviewed by SID at Bryan’s request.
— 10:54 p.m. — Kavin Bryan properly released from OPSO custody.
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