PORT ANGELES — A clerical error led to the accidental release of a Clallam County jail inmate who was facing a domestic violence charge, jail Superintendent Ron Sukert said.
Authorities Wednesday were looking for Lavan A. Lukes, 35, who was inadvertently released at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after his initial appearance in Clallam County Superior Court.
He was released with other inmates being processed out of the jail.
The Port Angeles man was being held in lieu of $5,000 bail for investigation of two counts of fourth-degree assault, one of which included domestic violence.
Lukes was scheduled to be charged today.
“It was a series of events that you could point to, but the fact of the matter is that it resulted in an error on our part,” Sukert said.
Lukes’ paperwork was printed on the same printer as those who made bail or were being released from custody Tuesday.
A corrections deputy grabbed the pile of paper and inadvertently out-processed Lukes, Sukert said.
“We put out an edict this morning that all new releases must be reviewed by a shift sergeant immediately prior to anybody walking out the door,” Sukert said.
An attempt-to-locate order was issued and alleged victims notified.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams issued a bench warrant for Lukes on Wednesday.
The warrant enables law enforcement in other jurisdictions to arrest Lukes outside the area.
“Members of the public are encouraged to contact law enforcement if they have any information as to the current location of Lukes or if he is seen moving about in the community,” Sukert said in a Wednesday statement.
Lukes is 6-foot-2, 225 pounds with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair, Sukert said.
He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt.
In a follow-up interview, Sukert said the Sheriff’s Office will look at ways to prevent another inadvertent release while maintaining efficiency at the jail.
Port Angeles police had arrested Lukes on Friday after responding to a domestic disturbance complaint on the 1000 block of South C Street.
A woman told police that Lukes had entered her apartment in violation of a no-contact order and attempted to take her child from her, court documents said.
The woman told police that Lukes is the presumed father but is not sure if he is the father.
The woman claimed that Lukes assaulted her during a struggle for the child and that the child was struck in the head during the melee.
Another woman who was at the apartment also claimed that Lukes assaulted her.
Lukes denied assaulting either woman, claiming he was assaulted by the child’s mother when he arrived at the apartment, court papers said.
Police observed a scratch on the right side of the mother’s forehead and blood on the front of her shirt.
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
