Man Mistakenly Released From Custody Apprehended In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — A man who was mistakenly released from a Philadelphia prison was apprehended by federal authorities after being on the lam for about a month.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamal Burkett, 53, was taken into custody at about 7 a.m. Wednesday on the 7900 block of Lindbergh Boulevard in Philadelphia.

Authorities said Burkett in 2023 was sentenced to 192 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to assault on a federal officer and weapons possession. The charges stemmed from Burkett shooting at a Philadelphia Police Officer who was assigned to a federal task force.

But, he was mistakenly released from the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on May 14 after local charges were satisfied, according to federal officials.

An audit by the Marshal Service clued authorities in to Burkett’s release, and a warrant was immediately issued by the United States District Court for failure to surrender for an imposed federal sentence.

Members of the fugitive task force surrounded on of Burkett's family member's apartment in southwest Philadelphia, where they believed Burkett was hiding.

He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Federal Detention Center.

"Anyone who discharges a firearm at police officers must pay for their actions," Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy for the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, said. "Capturing Burkett in less than 24 hours after being notified of his release is truly exceptional."