PORT ANGELES — An inmate who was mistakenly released Tuesday from Clallam County jail showed up at the Clallam County Courthouse at 3:10 p.m. Thursday and turned himself in, Sheriff Bill Benedict said.
Lavan A. Lukes, 35, of Port Angeles was inadvertently let out of jail after an appearance in county Superior Court in a paperwork mix-up with other inmates to be legally released.
He had been arrested for investigation of two counts of fourth-degree assault, one of which included domestic violence.
Lukes, who Benedict said was never considered dangerous, was scheduled to be charged Thursday.
He showed up at Clallam County Superior Court on his own volition, was taken back to jail, then appeared before Judge Brooke Taylor in rapid succession Thursday afternoon.
Taylor reset Lukes’ bail at $5,000 and his arraignment for 1:39 p.m. today, Benedict said.
“One of our deputies had been discussing with his mother suggesting he return this morning,” the sheriff said Thursday.
“He was supposed to come back to the jail, but he showed up at court.”
Benedict did not know Thursday afternoon where Lukes had gone between the time he left the jail Tuesday and returned two days later, or what he said when he arrived Thursday at the courthouse.
Lukes had been in jail on $5,000 bail, which meant that if he came up with $500, he probably could be released because most bail bond companies require 10 percent of the bail amount for the company to post the bond, Benedict said.
Lukes was not considered dangerous, said Benedict, adding that a new procedure has been put into place for release of jail inmates.
Lukes mistakenly was processed out of the jail Tuesday after his booking papers were mixed in with the papers of inmates being released, Benedict said.
“It was a glaring error on our part and lack of attention to detail, and we dealt with it,” Benedict said.
All new inmate releases are now being reviewed by a shift sergeant before the person leaves the jail, Corrections Superintendent Ron Sukert said Wednesday.
Superior Court Judge Ken Williams issued a bench warrant for Lukes’ arrest Wednesday.
Whether Lukes also will be charged with escape will be up to the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, he said.
“This could be considered bail jumping,” Benedict said before Lukes surrendered.
“It could be considered escape if he knows he should be in jail.”
“Whether or not he will be held accountable for the fact that we released him, I kind of doubt,” Benedict said.
“It depends on his knowing or if he was using some form of deception when he left.”
The two alleged victims — both women — were notified that Lukes was released.
Lukes initially was arrested Friday after police responded to a domestic disturbance complaint on the 1000 block of South C Street in Port Angeles.
One of the women told police that Lukes might be the father of a child he was trying to take from her.
The woman claimed that Lukes assaulted her during a struggle for the child.
A second woman at the apartment also said Lukes assaulted her.
Lukes denied assaulting either woman, saying he was assaulted by the child’s mother.
She said Lukes entered her apartment in violation of a no-contact order.
Police said they saw a scratch on the right side of the mother’s forehead and blood on her shirt.
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
