Convicted rapist mistakenly released from prison recaptured in Kentucky

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The manhunt for a convicted rapist mistakenly released from prison is now over after the man was recaptured in Kentucky.

Tony Maycon Munoz-Mendez, 31, was convicted of rape and aggravated child molestation in Gwinnett County, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records. He had been in prison since April 2015 and was serving a life sentence, records show.

Breaking: Tony Munoz Mendez is in custody. The georgia inmate mistakenly released by georgia prison guards on Friday was tracked by US Marshals to a suburb of Cincinnati . Found at a house in Newport, Ky within last 15 minutes . Mendez was serving 3 life sentences . @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/zCnyXyHbt9

Munoz-Mendez was released "in error" from Rogers State Prison in Reidsville about noon Friday, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Lori Benoit said in a news release.

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It is not clear what led to his release.

Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Tony Thomas learned late Wednesday night that Munoz-Mendez was tracked by U.S. marshals to a suburb of Cincinnati.

He was taken back into custody in Newport, Kentucky, late Wednesday.

Munoz-Mendez was serving three life sentences.

Cox Media Group