DeWyatt Hill

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Authorities are trying to track down the man mistakenly released from the Blount Co. Sheriff's Office on Wednesday*. A federal court had sentenced Dewyatt Allen Hill to 75 years for a string of robberies at CVS locations in the Knoxville area.

"Right now, our primary focus is getting Hill back into custody," said Blount Co. Sheriff James Lee Berrong.

The U.S. Marshall Service has joined in the search. Together, they are asking for the public's help locating him. Anyone with information on Hill's whereabouts is asked to call the U.S. Marshals Service at (865) 545-4182.

Hill was being held at the Blount Co. Jail on state charges when he was released. Berrong added that once Hill is back in custody, the Sheriff's Office will investigate how and why he was released.

* - An earlier version cited the Blount Co. Sheriff's Office which said he was released on Thursday. A spokesperson for the department has since distributed a correction.