Inmate mistakenly released from King County Jail, active search for suspect underway

Escaped inmate

A 49-year-old male inmate was mistakenly released from custody on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle. 

Inmate Joseph Matthew Tremato was arrested in Seattle on Saturday, August 18, 2018 on drug and burglary charges, as well as warrants, and the search for the suspect is currently underway.

At approximately 3:30pm on Wednesday, while inmate Tremato was being escorted in the facility, he was able to conceal his identity with a group of inmates being escorted to release. 

He was processed through release and was recorded on video leaving the facility on foot at approximately 4:30pm. 

When a headcount was conducted and Tremato was discovered to be missing, the facility was placed in lock down and Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office were notified. The search for Tremato is ongoing.

No injuries occurred during the incident, and an internal investigation has been launched.

Tremato is believed to be in the Seattle area. He is 5’7” tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has a large black ink tattoo on the back of his head with the word “ZOOM.” If you see Tremato, call 9-1-1.

This is a general warning. There is no particular indication that Tremato has any connections in north King county.