An inmate who had court Wednesday was left in a holding cell for hours off of the 486th District Court until a cleaning crew found him around 9:45 p.m., KPRC 2 News has confirmed.
The inmate, John Henry Jones, was scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Wednesday for hearings connected to theft and burglary cases that have been pending since late last year.
Recommended Videos
A cleaning crew found him in a holding cell on the 14th floor hours after the courthouse had closed. Holding cells, which have access to drinking water and a toilet, are connected to the courtrooms for inmates who are transported to the courthouse for hearings.
According to the Harris County Administrative Office of District Courts, the last hearing in the 486th took place around 1 p.m. and all court matters were concluded by the end of the business day. The cleaning crew contacted building security and deputies, then took the inmate back to jail.
It’s unclear how he was left behind, but two bailiffs who were responsible for moving inmates to and from the courtroom have been temporarily reassigned, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. An internal affairs investigation is underway.
Jones’ defense attorney James Sullivan said the court hearing got reset Wednesday and no actions were taken. Sullivan estimated he saw his client sometime in the 10 a.m. hour. He’s been practicing for 31 years in Harris County and something like this is “rare.” Jones was never in any danger, he said.
“It looks really bad when you leave someone in a cell and overlook them, but I know they have a difficult job,” Sullivan said.
According to records, Jones has several convictions, including for assault of a public servant, theft, burglary, and drug offenses.