MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - Authorities are searching for a convicted murderer who was mistakenly released from prison.

The Indiana Department of Corrections said Steven L. Robbins, 44, was serving a 60 year sentence in the Indiana State Prison for murder and carrying a handgun without a license.

Robbins was taken to Cook County, Ill., to appear in court on a drug charge Jan. 29, the IDOC said.

The drug charges against Robbins were dropped, and the Illinois authorities released him instead of returning him to the custody of the IDOC.

An arrest warrant for Robbins has been issued in Indiana and Illinois.

Robbins is described as a black male, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and 190 pounds. He has a tattoo on the right side of his neck that says "Nicole."

Robbins was lodged at the Indiana State Prison on Oct. 25, 2004, and his earliest projected release date was June 29, 2029.