Violent felon set free from NLV jail

A violent felon with a history of firearm violations was released from the North Las Vegas Detention Center Wednesday morning, hours before he was to appear before a federal magistrate on a probation violation charge.

Jesse Lee Earhart, 36, most recently of Henderson, was booked into the jail on Tuesday by U.S. marshals.

But by 6:50 a.m. Wednesday Earhart was gone, North Las Vegas police spokesman Tim Bedwell said. And in case you're wondering, Earhart didn't show up at his appointed time in court.

"We are still investigating how it happened," Bedwell said. Earhart has an extensive criminal history in the Las Vegas Valley and in California.

He is considered dangerous and might be armed. He has family ties in the valley, and there was a good chance he was still in the area, Bedwell said.

Earhart is white and 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 145 pounds with hazel eyes and light brown hair.

It's been two years since somebody escaped from the North Las Vegas jail. Bedwell said that prisoner got over a razor wire fence and made it a block and a half before being caught. He was severely injured because of the razor wire, Bedwell said.

As a result of the escape, changes were made to prevent it from happening again.

The same will occur in this case, Bedwell said. Investigators were trying to determine whether an administrative, clerical or technical glitch allowed Earhart to walk, or whether there was a conspiracy involving a jail worker.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.