Freedom was fleeting
after mistaken release
BY CHRISTINEVARNO
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — A Monmouth County jail staff member made a mistake that accidentally released a Long Branch prisoner July 9.
Herbert Jones, 45, was imprisoned June 16 for a bench warrant issued by a judge for contempt of court in Monmouth County and failure to appear, according to Undersheriff Ted Freeman.
Freeman said bail was set at $30,000 with no 10-percent option and without the choice to be released on his own recognizance (ROR).
A judge later issued a reduced bail of $19,000, leaving the no 10-percent and ROR option in effect.
"Someone at the jail misread the paperwork," Freeman said.
Freeman was released July 9 at 1:53 p.m., and the error was discovered later that night at 7 p.m., according to Freeman.
On July 11 at 2:11 p.m., less than 48 hours later, Jones turned himself into the Long Branch Police Department.
Freeman said the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, has not identified who made the mistake, but the department is carrying out an investigation to uncover who did.
"We are reviewing the procedure," Freeman said. "The procedures and standards are fine, we are reviewing so that people follow them."

