From The Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a suspect mistakenly released from the Jefferson County Jail.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, they are searching for 35-year-old Matthew Amos Burke. Burke was released from the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021.
Burke was being held unlawful possession of controlled substance, burglary second degree, kidnapping first – adult for ransom, extortion first degree, theft of property first degree, and two counts of failure to appear felony.
“The circumstances surrounding the release are currently being investigated,” Sergeant Joni Money said.
Burke was transferred to the Jefferson County Jail from a neighboring agency on November 24, 2021, to attend court.
“According to records, Burke had charges with the state, which were dismissed after a court appearance on Friday,” Money said. “At the time of transfer from the neighboring agency, there was no documentation left to notify jail personnel that Burke had been sentenced by another court and was not to be released.”
It was discovered around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, December 13, 2021, that Burke should have been held for transfer to prison, where he was to serve an already imposed sentence.
Burke is approximately 5 foot, 7 inches tall, around 170 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. He has connections to the Fultondale, Tarrant, and Remlap communities.
Authorities ask if anyone knows Burke’s whereabouts to call 911.