NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney says an inmate was released last week in Newport News by mistake.
Anton Bell told 10 On Your Side that 41-year-old Daniel T. Mowery, of Newport News, was released despite the fact he had no bond in Hampton.
Suffolk police said Mowery was arrested on June 29 on four violation of a protective order charges — three in Newport News and one in Hampton. He was then taken to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
Chief Deputy Col. E. Sprinkle, of Newport News City Jail, said Mowery was transferred from Western Tidewater to Newport News on July 3.
According to Sprinkle, paperwork provided by Western Tidewater showed Mowrey was being held without bond on the three Newport News protective order violations.
Mowery was granted a $4500 bond on July 12, along with a release to pre-trial services by the judge in Newport News. He was then released the next day, according to Sprinkle.
Sprinkle said the jail was never in possession of any court documents from Hampton. She added that the National Crime Information Center and Virginia Criminal Information Network were checked, and they found Mowery did not have any outstanding warrants.
Sprinkle said the Hampton paperwork had already been served at Western Tidewater.
10 On Your Side obtained the same documents provided to the Newport News City Jail from Western Tidewater Regional Jail. In two places, it states the pending charge against Mowery in Hampton.
Bell says Mowery’s release is a costly mistake that puts the public, and especially his wife who took out the protective orders after he alledgedly assaulted her, in danger.
Bell said Mowery had no bond for the outstanding violation of a protective order in Hampton. He told 10 On Your Side he’s worried about the public’s safety.
“I want the word to get out so that I can put some heat on this guy to turn himself in,” said Bell.