New Orleans sheriff Susan Hutson takes responsibility for ‘clerical error’ that led to release of violent offender from jail

The inmate, identified as Khalil Bryan, was discharged from custody on Friday despite facing multiple violent and non-violent charges. An internal investigation has been launched, and disciplinary action is expected, reports Fox News.

According to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Bryan was in jail for charges including illegal possession of stolen property, resisting an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also had a warrant from the Criminal District Court Section H related to aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse, child endangerment, and home invasion. In addition, he was wanted in Jefferson Parish, where he faced a $100,000 bench warrant for failure to appear and another $25,000 bond on unrelated felony charges.

Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged the mistake and accepted responsibility in a public statement.

“The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office takes full responsibility for the clerical error that led to the mistaken release of Khalil Bryan, and we offer our sincere apology to the public, our law enforcement partners and the court,” Hutson said. “This incident was the result of human error: a misidentification based on a shared last name between two individuals. We are currently conducting a full internal investigation, and I can confirm that disciplinary actions will occur.”

“Mr. Bryan is facing violent and non-violent charges, and we are coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure his swift return to custody. Most importantly, the victims in these matters have been notified. We are implementing safeguards to prevent this from happening again. Public safety remains our highest priority.”

District Attorney Jason Williams also issued a statement, sharply criticizing the handling of the release.

“We have been made aware that inmate Khalil Bryan was wrongfully released from custody by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office earlier today due to a serious error in inmate processing,” Williams said.

“Despite those [bond] holds, Bryan was released in error when deputies, responding to a bond posted by an unrelated individual for another inmate, failed to properly verify identity and mistakenly discharged Bryan instead.”

“This is a deeply troubling incident that underscores the ongoing systemic issues surrounding the exercise of custody and control over detained individuals. The failure to properly confirm the identity of an inmate prior to release is an unacceptable lapse that presents a real and immediate risk to public safety.”

“OPDA Victim Advocates have initiated victim outreach and will continue efforts until all victims and witnesses associated with Bryan's prosecution are reached. Where we are unable to make contact, we are dispatching investigators to ensure the affected victims and their families are notified and receive appropriate support.

“The public deserves a justice system that operates with integrity, professionalism and vigilance, particularly when it comes to protecting victims.”

Hutson confirmed all known victims have been notified, and the District Attorney’s Office said investigators are continuing to reach out to anyone not yet contacted, including through in-person visits.

In a separate high-profile failure earlier this year, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail under the watch of Sheriff Hutson. The jailbreak, which occurred early on a Friday morning, was captured on surveillance video and included individuals charged with murder, domestic abuse, and burglary.

The escape came after Hutson was found in contempt of court by Criminal District Chief Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier for refusing to transport inmates to court on weekends and holidays, in defiance of a standing judicial order.

Authorities are now working across parish lines to locate Bryan. The DA’s office urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement.