Convicted rapist sought after being released from prison ‘in error’

Officials with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Georgia Department of Corrections are trying to find a convicted felon after he was released from prison by accident, authorities said.

Tony Maycon Munoz-Mendez, 31, was convicted of rape and aggravated child molestation in Gwinnett County, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records. He was accused of assaulting a girl under the age of 10, Channel 2 Action News reported.

As he awaited his trial, Munoz-Mendez wrote the judge hearing his case a letter claiming he was innocent and saying 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.”

Officials with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Georgia Department of Corrections are trying to find a convicted felon after he was released from prison by accident, authorities said.??

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

Munoz-Mendez was released “in error” from Rogers State Prison in Reidsville about noon Friday, department spokeswoman Lori Benoit said Monday in a news release.

It’s not clear what led to his release.

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.

“All resources are being utilized to ensure the rapid apprehension of Munoz-Mendez,” Benoit said. “The public is reminded to call 911 and do not approach.”

Munoz-Mendez is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and about 186 pounds with brown hair and eyes, according to authorities.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact GDC officials at 478-992-5111 or by email at gdc.ciu@gdc.ga.gov.

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