Metropolitan Detention Center 'inadvertently' releases third inmate this month

Jul. 25—The Bernalillo County jail mistakenly released an armed robbery suspect on Wednesday — the third erroneous release of an inmate in the past month.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Desiree Sanchez after the 44-year-old was "inadvertently released" from the Metropolitan Detention Center, according to court records.

The mistake came one day after a state District Court judge ruled that Sanchez, who is accused of stabbing and robbing a man, would remain behind bars until trial.

Court records show Judge David Murphy found prosecutors proved "by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of another person or the community."

It is unclear what led to the mistaken release of Sanchez, who was initially booked on July 17.

"MDC staff are working with local law enforcement officials in an effort to bring Sanchez back into custody," MDC spokeswoman Candace Hopkins said. "This incident will be investigated by the Metropolitan Detention Center's Office of Professional Standards."

It was the third time an inmate was mistakenly released this month.

On July 13, "human error" resulted in a domestic violence suspect being wrongfully let out, and on July 3, a "clerical error" led to the release of a man jailed on a drug charge, according to MDC officials.

The domestic violence suspect returned to the jail after being notified by jail staff, while the other man was arrested by Albuquerque police on Wednesday.

MDC officials said, following the second release, that "an exhaustive review of releasing policies and procedures" was underway at the facility.

"Effective immediately, a new protocol has been implemented mandating a second release check for all inmates being released from MDC," officials said at the time.

It is unclear if the protocol was in place when Sanchez was released on Wednesday.