BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man who walked away from a Male Community Re-entry Program in Kern County on Tuesday was apprehended in Bakersfield after a few hours, according to officials. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said at about 11:20 a.m. officers were notifie d that Joel L. Montoya, 43, removed his GPS device. An emergency count was conducted and it was confirmed Montoya was missing. Local law enforcement agencies were notified and assisted in the search for Montoya. Officials said Montoya was apprehended in Bakersfield without incident at about 2:20 p.m. Montoya is being transported to North Kern State Prison and his case will be referred to the district attorney's office. Officials said Montoya was received from Kern County on Aug. 15, 2008. He was sentenced to 25 years and eight months for second-degree robbery. He has been housed at the Male Community Reentry Program since Feb. 20, 2025. ...read more read less