INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in locating a murder suspect mistakenly released from the Marion County jail last week.
Kevin Mason, 29, is a murder suspect from Minnesota who was accidentally released from the Adult Detention Center on Sept. 13. Mason was initially taken into custody on Sept. 11.
According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Mason was mistakenly released by a records clerk at 11:05 a.m. Officials realized he was gone at 5 p.m.
The incident is still under investigation. However, preliminary information suggests the clerk believed she was correcting duplicate bookings for the inmate and removed two holds in his file. The next day, a Minnesota clerk removed the final hold and the mistake was not caught by clerks the following day.
Two clerks have been terminated from the agency, according to the sheriff's office.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office says once released, Mason called his girlfriend, who picked him up near the jail. They say she went to a local Walmart to purchase men's underwear, a travel kit and men's slippers.
Police believe Mason's girlfriend, 29-year-old Desiree Oliver, has been hiding him somewhere. She was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. for assisting a criminal.
Police say Oliver is not cooperating with police but is being questioned. An additional woman who was with Oliver was brought in for questioning but has not been arrested.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office says they are planning on conducting a more unified operation with teams from multiple local agencies. Multiple homes are also currently under surveillence.
"This was an error, this should not have happened, Mason should not have been released from our custody," said Colonel James Martin.
In a press conference held Monday, Colonel Martin said the office waited six days after Mason's release to reach out to the public because they were hoping to get a tactical advantage.
"It's simple," said Colonel Martin. "We have used this time as a tactical advantage for us. We have used the quietness of this situation to not run him underground and send him further than we wanted him to."
In another conference held Thursday, officials revealed they are still investigating in Indianapolis, as well as other cities. However, they would not disclose the cities.
U.S. Marshals are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Mason's capture.
Mason is connected to a fatal shooting in Minneapolis in 2021 as well as parole violation and firearm possession.
Mason is described as 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds with a cross tattoo under his right eye. He also has a chest tattoo reading "SUB" and a neck tattoo. He has black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information, including additional details and tips, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS. Officials are also urging Mason to turn himself in.
If you see Mason, call 911 immediately.
