This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

CHARLESTON, Mo. (AP) _ Relatives cry out with relief after a judge frees a St. Louis-area man who was convicted of robbery 14 years ago but was never sent to prison until a clerical mistake was discovered last year.

As the judge announced his decision to immediately free Cornealious Anderson, about 10 relatives broke out in sobs. Anderson dabbed tears from his eyes.

Anderson was 23 when he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for robbery. He said he waited, and even asked about going to prison, but the order never came.

In that time, the judge said Anderson had been a good father, husband and taxpaying citizen.

But last year, someone at the Missouri Department of Corrections realized the error _ prompting a massive arrest effort at Anderson’s home last July.

Previous story: Exclusive Interview: Man who avoided prison for 13 years seeks release