This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A man suspected of rape and burglary was released from the Salt Lake County Jail by mistake.
Anthony S. Moultry, 27, was let out of jail about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release. Moultry was booked into jail Saturday, but charges were not filed until Wednesday.
Murray police, who had arrested Moultry, received an extension Wednesday morning to keep him in jail while charges were finalized, but the extension was missed in the release process, said Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder.
Winder described the error as "devastating" and said jail personnel are reviewing procedures to discover why it occurred.
Police wrote in court documents that Moultry went to a woman's apartment near 900 E. Pineway Drive early Saturday and forced his way inside. Moultry allegedly forced her onto the bed and told her to remove her pants, police wrote. When she refused, he threatened to kill her, and he put his hands over her mouth and around her neck when she tried to scream, police wrote. He then took off the victim's pants and "attempted" to have sex with her before forcing her to watch him masturbate, police wrote. The victim allegedly told Moultry to leave her apartment several times.
The victim said her wallet also was stolen; it was later found in a trash receptacle down the block from Moultry's apartment building, police wrote.
Law enforcement officers are guarding the woman while Moultry is out of custody, Winder said. "We are very concerned both about her mental state and physical security," Winder said.
Meanwhile, jail officials have appointed a sergeant to review every release until investigators can identify why Moultry was released despite the order to extend his stay, Winder said.
"This was a mistake," Winder said. "We don't want people to think this is a regular occurrence."
Moultry was charged with first-degree felony rape, second-degree felony burglary and one misdemeanor count each of lewdness and theft.
A warrant has been issued for Moultry's arrest. Unified Police Department is working with other law enforcement agencies to find him. He is described as a black man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and 185 pounds. He has a tattoo of what appears to be a Chinese character on the left side of his neck. His hair is cut short or shaved, and he had a goatee at the time he was booked.
Anyone with information may call their local police agency or 911 in the event of an emergency.