U.S. marshals and Minnesota law enforcement officials are searching for a convicted Moorhead felon who was mistakenly released from the Clay County Jail.
John Patrick Murphy, 56, 2016 1st Ave. S. - who has more than 21 felony convictions for stalking and making terroristic threats to victims, attorneys, judges and court officials - has been missing since being released Jan. 9, according to Clay County Court documents.
"It's sad to say, but we don't have him back," Sheriff Bill Bergquist said.
Murphy was put under a 72-hour hold at the Clay County Jail after being arrested Jan. 6 on a parole violation, according to court documents.
Where jail officials erred was counting the weekend as time served under the probation hold, Bergquist said.
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"Most holds include the weekend. This was a probation warrant ... which does not include weekends and holidays," he said.
U.S. marshals, with help from the Sheriff's Department, served a search warrant Wednesday of Murphy's Moorhead residence.
Under conditions of his parole, Murphy is not allowed within 150 miles of the Twin Cities metro area, according to court documents.
The Sheriff's Department is investigating Murphy's accidental release, Bergquist said.
