Three Dangerous Inmates Escape from Atlanta-Area Jail
In a troubling development for the Atlanta metropolitan area, authorities announced on Monday that three inmates have escaped from the DeKalb County Jail in Decatur, a northeastern suburb of Georgia’s capital. The escaped prisoners—Stevenson Charles, Yusuf Minor, and Naod Yohannes—were discovered missing during a routine security check early Monday morning. All three face serious felony charges, with offenses ranging from murder to armed robbery, prompting officials to warn the public that these fugitives may be armed and should be considered extremely dangerous. “We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,” stated Sheriff Melody M. Maddox, as her department mobilized both the Fugitive Unit and uniformed patrol officers in an urgent manhunt across the region.
Among the escapees, 24-year-old Stevenson Charles represents the most significant threat, according to U.S. Marshals who have labeled him “extremely dangerous.” At the time of his escape, Charles was serving a life sentence for a disturbing array of violent crimes. His record includes charges of murder and armed robbery, but even more alarmingly, he has been accused of child rape—specifically sodomy on a person less than 10 years old—as well as kidnapping, carjacking, aggravated assault, various weapons violations, and probation violations. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds, Charles reportedly maintains close connections to both Atlanta and Miami, potentially providing him with resources and hiding places across multiple states as authorities work to track him down.
The other two fugitives, while not characterized with the same level of extreme danger as Charles, nonetheless have concerning criminal histories that make their escape a significant public safety concern. Thirty-one-year-old Yusuf Minor was being held on two counts of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, indicating a pattern of violent crime involving weapons. The third escapee, 25-year-old Naod Yohannes, faces charges that include simple assault, arson, and unlawful acts of violence while incarcerated—the latter suggesting a propensity for aggressive behavior even within the controlled environment of a correctional facility. Together, these three men represent a potentially volatile threat to community safety as they evade capture.
The escape has triggered an intensive multi-agency response, with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office coordinating with regional law enforcement partners to locate the fugitives. Authorities are encouraging the public to exercise extreme caution and emphasize that under no circumstances should citizens approach these individuals if spotted. Instead, immediate contact with law enforcement is strongly advised. The Sheriff’s Office has established a dedicated Fugitive Tip Line at 404-298-8200, creating a direct channel for community members to provide information that might lead to the apprehension of the escapees. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and the public represents the most effective strategy for bringing these dangerous individuals back into custody without further incident or harm.
This jail break occurs against a backdrop of several high-profile prison escapes that have made headlines across the United States in recent months. Just recently, another dangerous inmate escaped from an Atlanta hospital, stealing both a gun and a vehicle in the process, while Louisiana authorities continue to search for a dangerous fugitive charged with attempted murder who remains at large. These incidents have raised questions about security protocols at correctional facilities nationwide and highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining secure custody of violent offenders. The frequency of such escapes has become a growing concern for communities already dealing with elevated crime rates in many urban areas.
As the search intensifies for Charles, Minor, and Yohannes, residents throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area have been advised to remain vigilant and secure their homes and vehicles. Law enforcement officials are particularly concerned about the possibility that the escapees might attempt to flee the state or even the country, especially given Charles’ connections to Miami, which could potentially serve as a gateway to international flight. The U.S. Marshals Service, which specializes in fugitive apprehension, has joined the investigation, bringing additional resources and expertise to the manhunt. While authorities work around the clock to recapture these dangerous individuals, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges within the criminal justice system and the potential consequences when those systems fail to contain violent offenders.
