Violent Offender Mistakenly Released From Harris County Jail

Paperwork errors happen… but not usually the kind that lets a convicted felon walk free; Harris County really dropped the ball on this one.

A 36-year-old man named Troy Dugas was supposed to be starting a seven-year prison sentence instead, but he was mistakenly released from the Harris County Jail at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Accidentally releasing a violent convict.

This wasn’t some minor mix-up either. He had five years for family violence assault and two years for evading arrest. The man was accidentally released after jail staff didn’t document it correctly in his file, so they thought he was cleared to go.

"Jail staff did not properly document his state prison sentence in his file, leading to the mistaken assumption that Dugas was eligible for release once his Harris County charges were dismissed," the Harris County Sheriff's Office revealed in a press release.

Now he’s missing. The last known area was around Brookline Park in southeast Houston. Authorities say don’t approach him, just call 911 if you spot him.

Physical description and whereabouts:

• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: ~215 lbs
• Distinguishing marks: Tattoos on his neck
• Last known area: Near Brookline Park in southeast Houston

And while we’re here, Texas law enforcement is also spotlighting another Featured Fugitive.

Featured Texas Fugitive

Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, a 43-year-old Hispanic male, is wanted for Attempted Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact. His criminal history includes multiple counts of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact, Indecency with a Child by Exposure, Burglary of a Building, and Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle.

Morales is 5’10”, 250 pounds, and his last known address was in Houston, Texas. There’s currently a reward of up to $6,000 for information leading to his capture.