A murder suspect who was mistakenly released from an Indiana jail has been apprehended after eluding authorities for two weeks. The suspect, Kevin Mason, 28, was captured by the United States Marshal Service in St. Paul, Minnesota. His arrest brings an end to a massive manhunt that had been underway since his accidental release.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office expressed their gratitude to the USMS for their efforts in locating and safely bringing Mason back into custody. Sheriff Kerry J. Forestal acknowledged the assistance provided by their federal partners and emphasized the importance of collaboration with local law enforcement agencies in apprehending fugitives.
The incident leading to Mason’s release was attributed to a clerical error. An inmate records clerk mistakenly removed two holds instead of correcting them, resulting in Mason’s wrongful release. Despite efforts to rectify the mistake, it went unnoticed until Ramsey County, Minnesota, lifted the last hold Mason was initially booked on. The error in the paperwork allowed him to be set free.
The news of Mason’s accidental release was withheld from the public for six days to ensure law enforcement had a tactical advantage in their search. During this time, authorities believed he had fled to Florida and sought the public’s assistance in locating him.
Mason was originally arrested in September on three different warrants from various jurisdictions in Minnesota. He had been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting in Minneapolis. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Shiloh Temple, resulting in the death of Dontevius Ahmad Catchings.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office took immediate action following the inadvertent release, terminating the employment of two clerks responsible for the critical error. They are now implementing measures to prevent such mistakes from occurring in the future.
The capture of Kevin Mason brings relief to the community and the victims’ families, who can now find solace in knowing that the suspect is back in custody and justice can be pursued in the pending murder case.
FAQs
1. How was Kevin Mason captured?
Kevin Mason, the murder suspect who was mistakenly released, was captured by the United States Marshal Service in St. Paul, Minnesota.
2. What led to Kevin Mason’s accidental release?
Mason’s release was due to a clerical error made by an inmate records clerk in Marion County, Indiana. The clerk mistakenly removed two holds instead of correcting them, resulting in Mason’s wrongful release.
3. What charges is Kevin Mason facing?
Mason had been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting incident that took place in the parking lot of the Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis.
4. How long was the manhunt for Kevin Mason?
Authorities were in pursuit of Mason for two weeks before he was finally apprehended by the USMS in St. Paul, Minnesota.