Escaped Felon Returns For Sentence After 'Paperwork Mistake': Dauphin DA

A felon entered a guilty plea for his latest offense and somehow ended up going free —  a warrant for his arrest was issued shortly after and three days later he was back in custody, according to a release by the Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo.

Tymir Murray, 21, of Harrisburg, surrendered at the Dauphin County Booking Center at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Friday, July 26, DA Chardo explained.

Murray entered the guilty plea for Felony Possession Of Firearm Prohibited on Tuesday, July 23, as he should not have had a firearm as an already convicted felon for drugs and receiving stolen property, court records show.

Dauphin County Judge William T. Tully sentenced him to serve three to six years in prison, according to his latest court docket. However, he was allowed to leave the courthouse instead of going to prison.

The DA said the following about this error that let a three-time convicted felon go free:

"Murray's release occurred as a result of a paperwork mistake. Dauphin County Prison authorities correctly followed the orders they received when they received them. The sentencing order arrived only after his release."

Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division asked the public for help locating Murray who was wanted on a warrant from the Dauphin County Sheriff's Office starting the afternoon of his apparent escape.  "A reward of up to $2,000 [was] being offered for any information leading to his arrest," as stated in a release.

Ultimately the DA reached out to Murray's family to convince him to turn himself in, on Friday afternoon, he told them "if Murray voluntarily surrendered today, he [...] would not face any additional charges for escape."

The DA thanked the police, probation officers, the sheriff's department, and prison authorities in their efforts "effecting his return."