Authorities are searching for a prisoner who escaped from the Covington County Jail shortly after 12:30 p.m. New Year’s Day.

Inmate T.C. Harris Jr., 49, had been housed in the county jail since Dec. 19 for violating his federal probation conditions. Harris, a native of Whistler, in Mobile County, is described as a 180-pound, 5-foot-6 black male with black hair and brown eyes and is considered to be a dangerous felon, according to a release from the Covington County Sheriff’s Office.

It is not readily known how Harris vacated the county jail, authorities said.

It is believed Harris escaped wearing a blue inmate jumpsuit that identified him as a federal inmate, but could now be wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes.

Law enforcement immediately launched a manhunt, which concluded around 5 p.m.

Federal authorities are currently on the way to assist in the search for Harris.

For the complete story, see the Saturday edition of the Andalusia Star-News.