Wrong man released from jail due to bail bondsman mistake

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - The wrong man was released from jail due to an error by a bail bondsman.

Patrick Taylor, the released inmate, was mistaken by the bail bondsman to be Patrick Mitchell. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office says the mistake was made by bail bondsman Pattie Hill.

“Our staff did everything correctly with all policies and procedures followed,” said the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

Taylor and Mitchell were both in jail for drug-related charges. Both inmates had $50,000 bonds.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office says even though it was an error made by Hill, the bail issued to Taylor by a judge was paid and he was released. He will not recaptured since that bond is paid.

“The bail bondsman would have to surrender him back to us in order to take him back. Patrick Mitchell remains in our jail. Someone would have paid the bondsman to bond out Patrick Mitchell so they will be responsible for that,” said the spokesperson.

Mitchell remains in jail.

WECT crews attempted to visit the Pattie Hill’s business address provided by online state records to ask how the mistake was made. Once we got there, nearby business owners said she no longer worked in that area.