Full Notification

Clayton County Citizens,

On October 25, 2024, Kathan Guzman was sentenced to life in prison for murder in Clayton County Superior Court. He was awaiting transfer to the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he was slated to serve his sentence.

On March 27, 2025, at approximately 4:49 p.m., Kathan Guzman was released in error from the Clayton County Jail. The cause of the release is under investigation, and disciplinary actions are pending. Once the investigation is complete, it may result in the termination of employees within the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.

On April 8, 2025, at approximately 1:47 p.m., the District Attorney’s Office of the Clayton County Judicial Circuit contacted me directly inquiring about Guzman, which is when the inadvertent release was discovered.

I immediately activated my Fugitive Squad and through the relationships and partnerships I’ve built over the last two years with other law enforcement agencies, I personally contacted every Metro Atlanta Sheriff. Within 60 minutes, I had secured resources from as far away as Paulding County.

In addition to the Sheriffs, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and Clayton County Police Chief Kevin Roberts also sent resources to assist.

All of the fugitive experts convened at the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, formulated a plan, and launched the search for Guzman.

Investigators quickly gathered intelligence, followed up on leads, deployed surveillance teams, brainstormed ideas, and utilized a variety of techniques to narrow down Guzman’s location—which was determined to be outside the state of Georgia.

Once I contacted the U.S. Marshals and turned over all the information gathered, they began their work. I am proud to report that earlier today, April 11, 2025, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Guzman in Florida.

I would like to personally acknowledge all the sheriffs, police chiefs, and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

Agencies Involved:

Paulding County Sheriff’s Office

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office

Newton County Sheriff’s Office

Butts County Sheriff’s Office

Henry County Sheriff’s Office

Spalding County Sheriff’s Office

Pike County Sheriff’s Office

Lamar County Sheriff’s Office

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

Coweta County Sheriff’s Office

Cobb County Sheriff’s Office

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office

Atlanta Police Department

U.S. Marshals

Clayton County District Attorney

Georgia Department of Corrections

Finally, I would like to thank our community, as well as the men and women of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, for their hard work in reapprehending Guzman.

LEVON ALLEN
Clayton County Sheriff