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James Edward Daniels, a convicted killer wrongfully released from a Miami-Dade jail, was finally apprehended this Wednesday in the state of Georgia, after four days of intense searching.
The recapture, confirmed by federal and local authorities, brings an end to a dangerous escape that had raised alarms throughout South Florida and reopened the debate about the shortcomings of the prison system.
Although the police have not provided details on how they tracked him down, his arrest took place shortly after a reward of $30,000 was offered for information leading to his whereabouts.
Daniels was arrested in a residence in the city of Macon - almost 600 miles from Miami - thanks to a joint operation between the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office.
According to authorities, federal marshals acted after receiving a tip about his whereabouts and successfully apprehended him without incident.
Despite the police presence, it has not yet been announced when he will be transferred back to Florida, nor have additional details about the operation been revealed.
A "procedural error" with alarming consequences
Daniels had been released on Saturday, September 27, from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) in Miami-Dade County.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation publicly acknowledged that it was a "procedural error" and announced the initiation of an internal investigation to clarify how it was possible for a life-sentenced inmate to be released without anyone intervening.
The ruling occurred following a court hearing for a state drug case pending since 2021.
Circuit Judge Christine Hernández granted him credit for time already served and authorized his release.
But the judicial records did not reflect - or overlooked - that there was an active federal order requiring his detention. This omission allowed for his release, despite having been sentenced to four life terms.
"It is not acceptable": The reaction of local authorities
The mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, described the incident as "horrific" and stated that protocols were being reviewed to identify failures in the prison system.
"Obviously, human errors occur from time to time, but they are not acceptable," he stated to a local media outlet.
Despite the scandal, the mayor expressed confidence in the county's correctional staff and highlighted that the local system had recently been cleared from federal oversight that lasted over a decade.
An atrocious crime: the double murder in Opa-locka
James Daniels was found guilty of involvement in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of the Cubans Johan González Quesada (26 years old) and Osmar Oliva (50 years old), truck drivers who were abducted in December 2020 along with a third victim, Julio Verdecia, who managed to survive.
According to the investigation, Daniels and his accomplices - Frederick Eugene Rudolph and Herbert Barr - kidnapped the three victims from a truck park in Opa-locka, near the Executive Airport.
They were tied up, their eyes were covered with duct tape, and they were beaten for hours in the back of a rented truck. Afterwards, they were taken to an abandoned house on Rutland Street, where two of them were executed with gunshots to the head.
The motive for the crime, according to the prosecution, was the theft of drugs and jewelry.
Daniels was sentenced in March 2025 to four life sentences. His role in the crime was described by prosecutors as direct and central: he actively participated in the kidnapping, torture, and execution of the victims.
A fugitive described as "armed and dangerous."
When his release was announced, authorities issued an urgent alert to the community. Daniels was described as "armed and dangerous," and the public was advised not to approach him under any circumstances. The Miami-Dade Police Department and the Marshals Service mobilized all available resources to secure his recapture.
The reward offered for his whereabouts was immediately raised to $30,000, reflecting the level of priority with which the case was handled. Spokespeople from the prison system assured that their main objective was to "ensure his apprehension and safe return to custody."
The case raised concern in judicial circles due to the risk posed by Daniels to those who testified against him.
“How can they release this guy who was sentenced for murder? It's pure negligence,” warned security consultant Wayne Black, a former law enforcement officer.
Public pressure also forced authorities to respond quickly. The case was widely covered by local and national media, and it became an example of the potential consequences of a failed coordination between judicial and penitentiary agencies.
Frequently asked questions about the wrongful release of James Edward Daniels in Miami
Who is James Edward Daniels and why was he convicted?
James Edward Daniels is a convicted murderer who took part in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of two Cuban truckers in 2020. He was sentenced to four life terms for his central role in these crimes.
How was James Daniels mistakenly released?
Daniels was released due to a "procedural error" when a judge granted his release after a court hearing, disregarding an active federal order that required him to be detained.
What actions were taken to recapture James Daniels?
A search operation was launched involving the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and local police. A reward of $30,000 was offered for information leading to his capture, which ultimately resulted in his arrest in Georgia.
What measures are being taken to prevent future mistakes in the Miami-Dade prison system?
The mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, announced the review of the protocols of the prison system to identify and correct failures, ensuring that a thorough internal investigation is underway to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
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