Convicted Miami Killer Recaptured in Georgia After Mistakenly Released From Miami-Dade Jail
MACON, GEORGIA — A convicted murderer who was mistakenly released from a Miami-Dade jail has been captured in Georgia, ending a multi-agency manhunt that raised urgent questions about jail procedures in South Florida.
Recapture in Georgia
Authorities announced Wednesday that James Edward Daniels, 60, was arrested at a residence in Macon, Georgia, after being on the run for several days. U.S. Marshals took Daniels into custody without incident.
Police also arrested Timishea Price, a councilmember in Reynolds, Georgia, accusing her of hindering Daniels’ capture. She is expected to face a felony charge.
How the Release Happened
Daniels had been sentenced to life in prison in March 2025 for the December 2020 murders of 50-year-old Osmar Oliva and 26-year-old Johan Gonzalez Quesada. The men were kidnapped, tied up, tortured, and then shot in the head, according to court records.
But on Saturday, Daniels was mistakenly freed from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) due to what officials described as a “procedural error.”
Daniels had been transferred to TGK from another prison to face an unrelated 2019 cocaine possession charge. After a court hearing, records were updated to show credit for time served, which made it appear as though he had completed his sentence.
Victims’ Families React
The families of Oliva and Gonzalez Quesada expressed relief over Daniels’ capture in a joint statement:
“Our families are very proud of the recapture of the fugitive. We don’t want the tireless work of the detectives, attorneys, officers, and the FBI to be overlooked, so we thank them for acting swiftly to restore justice. This is not just for our families, but especially for Osmar and Johan, who did not deserve what happened to them and whom we miss deeply.”
Ongoing Investigations
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation is now under pressure to explain how the release happened. Officials said an internal review is underway to determine how such a dangerous error occurred and to ensure it does not happen again.
For now, Daniels is back in custody, awaiting return to Florida to continue serving his life sentence.
Do you believe Miami-Dade officials should face accountability for releasing a convicted murderer? Share your thoughts and join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
