INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Minnesota homicide suspect Kevin Mason is still on the loose after he was mistakenly released from the Adult Detention Center "due to faulty records review by civilian staff."
The sheriff's office said a $10,000 reward would be offered for information leading to Mason's capture.
In an update Friday morning, investigators believe 28-year-old Mason left Indianapolis on the evening of Sept. 13 — the same day of his accidental release.
The investigation is now being overseen by the United States Marshals Services, and the MCSO will continue to participating alongside the USMS.
"As a former U.S. Marshal, I have a personal understanding of the far-reaching tools our federal partners have," MCSO Sheriff Kerry J. Forestal said. "With 56 regional task forces and their capture of nearly 76,000 fugitives in 2022, I am fully confident they will locate Kevin Mason and bring him into custody."
According to the MCSO, law enforcement agencies have been contacted where Mason is believed to have connections.
Police said Mason was arrested on Sept. 11 in the 3100 block of North College Avenue for three warrants out of Minnesota for a 2021 shooting, a parole violation and a firearms possession.
An internal investigation is underway at the MCSO to determine if any possible policy or procedural violations occurred. An investigation found one of the inmate records clerks saw three holds from Minnesota and cleared two of them as she thought she was clearing duplicate bookings for Mason. According to the MCSO, authorities in Minnesota waived extradition on the final warrant, not realizing Marion County had cleared the other two. The original records clerk and two others were supposed to review all the booking information and did not catch the error. As such, Mason was released.
Two MCSO employees were fired following the investigation.
"The was an error. This should not have happened," said Col. James Martin, Marion County Sheriff's Office. "We will not rest until he is captured."
Mason is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs approximately 205 pounds, and has tattoos under his right eye (cross), chest ("SUB") and neck.
The sheriff's office said an around-the-clock manhunt has been happening ever since Mason's release.
The sheriff's office said it did not report Mason's accidental release for six days because they were using it "as a tactical advantage" in the hopes of catching him and not driving him into hiding. Police believe Mason has been getting help since his accidental release on Sept. 13. Mason has ties to Indianapolis, and police believe he has been in Indianapolis since the 2021 killing.
After his release, police said Mason's girlfriend picked him up. They said she later purchased a new cellphone and took her car in for an oil change and tire repair. The sheriff's office said the girlfriend was arrested for assisting a criminal and is being questioned about Mason's whereabouts. A second woman with her was also questioned, but the sheriff's office said she was not cooperating.
NOTE: 13News does not name suspects in cases until formal charges are filed by prosecutors.
The sheriff's office said it is currently monitoring homes where Mason might be. Law enforcement said they initially believed Mason was still in the area.
Anyone with information on Mason's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. The MCSO advised people not to take action themselves.
The MCSO also encouraged Mason to turn himself in through the Safe Surrender program by calling 317-327-7233.
The MCSO's Criminal Division is leading the search, with the assistance of IMPD and the United States Marshal Service.