Man wanted after ‘human error’ leads to accidental release from jail

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has reprimanded a detention officer after a man was accidentally released from the detention center.

The sheriff’s office is searching for Andre Delmas Shipman, 23.

According to a news release from Sheriff Lewis Hatcher, on October 29, Shipman was arrested and charged by Whiteville Police for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed gun, and possession with the intent to sell/deliver marijuana.

Shipman also had an outstanding warrant for a parole violation.  Shipman was transported to Columbus County Law Enforcement Center where he was processed on those charges.

The sheriff’s office says during the booking process, a step was not completed when the parole warrant was served.

This step would have ensured that Shipman was held for the parole violation.  The sheriff’s office says this process of serving a parole warrant is different than the process of serving other types of warrants.  A release order is not provided with a parole warrant, unlike other types of warrants.

‘Because of this variable and human error’ Shipman was prematurely released.

The sheriff’s office says they have policies and procedures in place to prevent this from happening, but a detention officer did not follow protocol.  No word on how the responsible detention officer was reprimanded.

Andre Shipman is 5’6” tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds.  He has brown eyes and black hair.  If you know where is, contact Columbus County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 642-6551.