Convicted rapist caught after mistaken release from Ga. prison

Zachary Hansen
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FORT THOMAS, Ky. — A convicted child rapist who was mistakenly released from a Georgia prison was recaptured Wednesday in Kentucky, authorities said.

Tony Maycon Munoz-Mendez, 31, was arrested in Fort Thomas, which is near Cincinnati and the Ohio border, the Georgia Department of Corrections said. Officials with the department, the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took him into custody about 10:30 p.m.

He was released “in error” from Rogers State Prison in Reidsville about noon Friday, department spokeswoman Lori Benoit previously said. 

It’s not clear what led to his release. 

He was convicted of rape and aggravated child molestation in Gwinnett County, according to records. He was accused of repeatedly raping and molesting a 7-year-old girl, Channel 2 Action News reported.

As he awaited trial, Munoz-Mendez wrote the judge hearing his case. He claimed he was innocent and said he wanted to get back to his children, Channel 2 reported. 

“I have no family here in the United States to help me out and I have to rely on myself on everything, and it’s hard,” the letter said, in part. “I know I’m innocent.”

Munoz-Mendez had been in prison since April 2015 and was serving three life sentences, records show. 

The review into the circumstances surrounding Munoz-Mendez’s release is “ongoing, to include a full internal investigation,” according to GDC Director of Public Affairs Joan Heath.