HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Hinds County fugitive was arrested in Lauderdale County, according to Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens.

Owens said Williams, who was completing a sentence in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), was inadvertently released from custody in early March before being transferred to Hinds County where he was wanted for murder.

Williams was arrested by Lauderdale County deputies. He was extradited to Hinds County on Wednesday, March 22.

Owens said Williams will be held at the Hinds County Detention Center while his case is being prepared to be presented to a Hinds County Grand Jury.

MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain released the following statement about the incident.

Former MDOC inmate Jocquiez Williams served out the sentence handed down in his case in 2017. By law, MDOC cannot hold a prisoner once he has completed his sentence. Usually, in cases where the inmate is accused by other law enforcement agencies of a crime, a detainer is attached to the inmate’s file. When such a detainer is attached, MDOC policy allows detention of a prisoner for up to 48 hours after he completes his sentence. MDOC then releases the inmate to the custody of the authorities that issued the detainer. In Mr. Williams’ case, there was no detainer or warrant in Williams’ file. Without such detainer or warrant, MDOC could not lawfully detain Mr. Williams.

MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain