Murder Suspect, 2 Others Escape DeKalb Jail: U.S. Marshals

Updated 12:47 p.m.

DECATUR, GA — Three inmates, including an "extremely dangerous" inmate arrested on murder charges, recently escaped from the DeKalb County Jail and have prompted a manhunt, authorities said Monday.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said the inmates should be considered armed and dangerous. They are actively being sought by the sheriff office's Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities said.

It was discovered the inmates were missing during a routine security check on Monday morning, authorities said. Internal security teams then began searching for the trio and have partnered with other law-enforcement agencies for the manhunt, authorities said.

The specifics of how the inmates escaped were not immediately known.

“We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,” DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox said in a news release.

The U.S. Marshals Service, who said the escape occurred either late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, is seeking the location of one of the inmates, Stevenson Charles.

Authorities say they consider Charles to be "extremely dangerous" and a "violent fugitive."

He was serving a life sentence and has been either charged with or convicted of the following: murder, aggravated assault, weapons violations, sodomy on a person less than 10 years old, kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery and probation violations, authorities said.

"Over a period of many years, Stevenson Charles has committed numerous serious crimes. ... Charles is extremely dangerous. Do not approach him," the Marshals Service said in a news release.

They described him as 5-feet-7-inches tall and said he weighs about 200 pounds. Authorities said Charles has brown hair and eyes and has close ties to the Atlanta and Miami metro areas.

“Let the message go out to Mr. Charles and all other fugitives," Thomas E. Brown, the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia, said in a news release. "We are looking for and we will find you. Any person who violates the laws of the United States will not be allowed a moment of rest. You will never find peace. You will answer for your crimes.”

Authorities identified the escaped inmates as follows (along with the charges they face):

• Stevenson Charles, 24, charged with murder and armed robbery.
• Yusuf Minor, 31, charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
• Naod Yohannes, 25, charged with simple assault, arson and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution.

"The public is urged to exercise extreme caution and should not approach them," police said in the release.

Authorities asked anyone with information on their whereabouts to call the fugitive tip line, (404) 298-8200, or 911.