FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Two inmates with the same last name: a common thread that unraveled into a jailhouse emergency when St. Lucie County jail staff released the wrong inmate last month.
David Jerome Brown was supposed to be released after serving time for violating his probation while driving on a suspended license. Instead, staff released Waldron Jamine Brown, a man facing charges for DUI impairment and discharging a firearm in public.
According to a department memo obtained by Contact 5, the confusion started on Sept. 18th, the day David Brown was set to be released.
First, a detention deputy “failed to make positive identification of the inmate…even though he had the correct movement card and inmate face sheet.” Then, a detention clerk failed to positively identify the inmate using the Rapid ID system.
The clerk also admitted to not checking the inmate’s wristband, “which would have been an indication that the wrong Brown was being released.”
According to the memo obtained by Contact 5, Waldron Brown left the jail around 9:00 am in David Brown’s clothing and jumped in a cab. Minutes later, staff realized the error and conducted an emergency headcount.
WPTV reported on Waldron Brown in August when a judge dropped charges against him related to a DUI manslaughter case all because the state failed to meet “speedy trial” deadlines. But Brown was still in jail for other charges of DUI impairment and discharging a firearm in public.
One hour of freedom later, Waldron Brown returned to jail, and David Brown was eventually released the same day. Sheriff Ken Mascara suspended those involved, including a detention lieutenant (1-day suspension), clerk (5-day suspension) and deputy (5-day suspension).
In a statement to Contact 5, Sheriff Mascara said: “Our agency immediately recognized the error, took swift action to return the inmate to custody, administered appropriate employee discipline for the errors and have ensured proper protocols are in place to prevent this from happening again.”
Those new procedures include moving their Rapid ID system to the ID desk, reviewing all of their standard operating procedures, and making sure to check all inmates’ wristbands prior to being released.
