WORCESTER — Authorities in Massachusetts are actively searching for Joseph Sterling, 46, who left the Worcester Recovery Center on Dec. 10 and failed to return, a violation of his court-ordered commitment.
Sterling, known to have ties to the Brockton area, can leave the facility during certain hours each day but is required to stay there at all other times under the terms of his release, according to the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit in Worcester County.
Described as a Black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 240 pounds with a bald head and brown eyes, Sterling was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, brown boots, green pants, a black vest, a blue jean jacket, and an olive-colored hat.
The Leicester Police Department and the Commonwealth Fusion Center (CFC) have issued a “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert for Sterling.
Under Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 123, section 30, he can be detained and returned to the facility.
Members of the public who see Sterling are urged not to approach him but to immediately contact the Massachusetts State Police at 508-829-8326.
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit is leading the search and can also be reached through the CFC at 978-451-3700 or 508-820-2233 for any information regarding Sterling’s whereabouts.
