Miami Watch Out! Armed Fugitive Accidentally Released from Jail

September 30, 2025

Miami-Dade just had a major “how did this even happen?” moment — and the city needs to stay alert. Deputies are warning the public after James “45” Daniels, a convicted killer tied to two murders and an attempted murder in Opa-locka, was mistakenly released from jail this weekend.

Yep, you read that right. Released. By accident.

Daniels, 60, was already serving a life sentence after being convicted last year on multiple charges: conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death, two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, and more. Federal prosecutors said he was part of a crew that kidnapped three men back in 2020 near the Opa-locka Executive Airport — brutally torturing them before killing two. One man somehow survived the horror.

But over the weekend, Miami-Dade Corrections somehow let Daniels walk free. Officials later admitted it was a “procedural error” and are now in full crisis mode.

“Sometime this weekend, MDSO was informed that he should NOT have been released from jail, and we are now assisting the U.S. Marshals and the FBI in locating him,” said Detective Luis Sierra.

The FBI, DEA Miami, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and Opa-locka Police are all in on the manhunt, but as of now, Daniels is still on the loose — and labeled “armed and dangerous.”

Authorities are begging anyone with info to step up. If you know where Daniels is, you’re urged to call Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detective C. Santos at 305-471-2400 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

For now, Miami needs to stay on high alert. If you spot something sketchy, don’t play hero — call it in. This guy isn’t just dangerous… he’s proven it.

Written by: Bobby