Man who kidnapped Elton B. Stephens Jr. released from Jefferson County Jail ‘in error’ – Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky

Birmingham, Alabama (WIAT) — A man convicted of abducting a Birmingham businessman and sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison has returned to the streets.

Prison records show Matthew Amos Burke, 35, on Friday, just one month after being sentenced to 17 years in prison for kidnapping Elton B. Stevens Jr. last year. Released from prison. Tommy Spina, a Birmingham businessman lawyer, told CBS42 that Burke was accidentally released.

On September 11, 2020, Burke and Tabasa Hodges invaded Stevens’s home in Jefferson County, stealing cars, guns, and jewelry before taking them to Blount County, and gave them $ 250,000 for release. I sent the money. After paying them, Stevens was returned home.

Stevens is the son of Elton B. Stevens, the founder of EBSCO Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Report released by Forbes in 2014The Stevens family was listed as one of the wealthiest homes in the country with an estimated net worth of $ 4 billion.

Burke and Hodges were arrested a few days later and charged with kidnapping. In addition to Burke’s sentence, Hodges was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Martin Keeley, a federal security officer in northern Alabama, said the federal security officer learned of Burke’s release on Monday. They are working with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to find Burke.