James Edward Daniels, a convicted murderer who was mistakenly released from a Miami-Dade jail, was apprehended in Georgia on Wednesday after an intense four-day manhunt. His capture, confirmed by both federal and local authorities, concludes a dangerous escape that triggered alarms throughout South Florida and reignited discussions about flaws in the prison system.
Although law enforcement has not disclosed details on how they located Daniels, his arrest came shortly after a $30,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture. Daniels was found in a residence in Macon, nearly 600 miles away from Miami, thanks to a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. Authorities reported that federal marshals acted on a tip-off regarding his whereabouts and managed to arrest him without any incidents.
Despite the extensive police operation, no details have been released about when Daniels will be transported back to Florida or about the specifics of the capture operation.
A Startling Procedural Error
Daniels was mistakenly released on Saturday, September 27, from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation acknowledged that the release was due to a "procedural error" and announced the initiation of an internal investigation to determine how a man sentenced to life in prison was freed without obstruction.
The error occurred following a court hearing for a pending state drug case from 2021. Circuit Judge Christine Hernández granted Daniels credit for time served, authorizing his release. However, a federal warrant requiring his continued detention was either not reflected or overlooked in the judicial records, leading to his unintended release despite his four life sentences.
Local Authorities Respond to the Incident
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava described the incident as a "horror" and emphasized the need to review protocols to identify weaknesses in the prison system. "Human errors occur occasionally, but they are unacceptable," she told a local news outlet. Despite the controversy, the mayor expressed confidence in the county's prison staff and highlighted that the local system had recently been released from over a decade of federal oversight.
The Heinous Double Murder in Opa-locka
James Daniels was convicted for his involvement in the kidnapping, torture, and killing of two Cuban nationals, Johan González Quesada, 26, and Osmar Oliva, 50, both truck drivers abducted in December 2020 along with a third victim, Julio Verdecia, who survived. According to the investigation, Daniels and his accomplices—Frederick Eugene Rudolph and Herbert Barr—kidnapped the victims from a truck park in Opa-locka near the Executive Airport. They bound, blindfolded, and beat them for hours in the back of a rented van before taking them to an abandoned house on Rutland Street, where two of them were executed with gunshots to the head. The crime was motivated by a robbery involving drugs and jewelry.
Daniels was sentenced in March 2025 to four life terms. Prosecutors described his role in the crime as direct and central, actively participating in the kidnapping, torture, and execution of the victims.
An Armed and Dangerous Fugitive
Upon learning of his release, authorities issued an urgent alert to the community, warning that Daniels was "armed and dangerous" and advising the public to avoid approaching him under any circumstances. The Miami-Dade Police Department and the Marshals Service deployed all available resources to ensure his recapture. The reward for information on his whereabouts was promptly increased to $30,000, underscoring the high priority of the case. Prison system spokespersons stated that their primary goal was to "ensure his detention and safe return to custody."
The case has raised concerns within judicial circles about the risk Daniels posed to those who testified against him. "How can you release a guy sentenced for murder? It's pure negligence," cautioned security consultant Wayne Black, a former law enforcement officer. Public pressure also compelled authorities to respond swiftly. The case received widespread coverage from both local and national media, serving as a stark example of the potential consequences of failed coordination between judicial and prison agencies.
Key Questions About Daniels' Release and Capture
What led to James Daniels' mistaken release?
James Daniels was mistakenly released due to a procedural error following a court hearing for a pending state drug case. A federal warrant requiring his detention was not properly reflected in the judicial records, allowing his unintended release.
How was Daniels recaptured?
Daniels was recaptured in Macon, Georgia, through a coordinated effort involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. His arrest was made possible by a tip-off received by federal marshals.
What was the public's reaction to Daniels' release?
The public reacted with concern and urgency, as Daniels was considered "armed and dangerous." The incident raised alarms about potential risks to those who testified against him, and authorities were pressured to act swiftly.