LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County officials are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an inmate mistakenly released while awaiting trial in a gang-related killing.
County supervisors approved the reward Tuesday as authorities searched for Steven Lawrence Wright. The 37-year-old was mistakenly released Saturday.
The Sheriff's Department says it found out about Wright's release Sunday night, more than 24 hours later.
Sheriff's officials say they immediately formed a task force dedicated to tracking him down. They also are conducting a review to prevent future accidental releases.
Wright had been behind bars since April 2011 following his arrest in the shooting death of a 47-year-old man that year. At the time, police say Wright belonged to the Altadena Block Crips.
It comes after three inmates escaped a jail this month in neighboring Orange County. They later were recaptured.
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