IDOC admits mistakes leading to escape of accused killer Kevin Kuintzle
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (KIFI) - The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) is responding to community concerns and criticism following the escape of Jerome County murder suspect Kevin Kuintzle last week.
In an email to Local News 8, IDOC public information officer Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic writes:
"The systems designed to prevent Kevin Kuintzle, from being placed at a non-secure facility clearly were not followed. While we are launching a Serious Incident Review to learn the full accounting of events, we took immediate steps to ensure this was an isolated incident and everyone else currently living or being considered for placement at a non-secure facility are appropriate for placement. Our top priority remains the safety of all Idahoans, and we are committed to conducting a thorough review of our practices and making necessary improvements to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future."
Kuintzle escaped from the St. Anthony Work Camp on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. They said he stole a pickup nearby. Police looked for Kuintzle and was spotted in Idaho Falls walking out of Walmart on Utah Avenue on Friday,Dec. 6. Police issued an alert saying Kuintzle was in the area and not to approach him as he may be armed and dangerous.
Kuintzle was found in Pocatello Friday evening and was arrested by Pocatello Police and Idaho State Police. He was taken to the Bannock County Jail.
Click here for details of Kuintzle escape and capture
The Work Camp Warden, Glenn Armstrong met with Saint Anthony's Chief of Police, Gregory Belew, and Mayor Donald Powell to discuss Kuintzle's escape and why he was at the work camp in the first place.
Powell tells us he is just as concerned as the citizens.
Powell said, "Definitely was a mistake that that gentleman ended up up here."
Mayor Powell used to be a police officer and told us this was a filing issue.
Allegedly none of Kuintzle's current charges were received by the work camp.
They do not know why those charges were not in their system, if they had he would never have been allowed to stay there.
Powell says the warden has assured him that changes to the system have been made so that this never happens again. those changes went into effect today.
"Just human error we kind of agreed on from now on as soon as they think they're missing somebody, they're going to notify the sheriff's office who will notify all the law enforcement. We'd rather err on the side of safety," said Powell.
Mayor Powell says the Department of Correction have brought in outside agencies to investigate.
