IDOC launches review after man charged with murder escaped work camp
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ST. ANTHONY — A 33-year-old man with charges including first-degree murder escaped Idaho Department Correction’s custody last week but, after being captured, is now being housed at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Ada County.
Kevin Nicholas Kuintzle of Twin Falls was charged with killing William Eakin, 84, of Jerome, in 2023. He had allegedly shot Eakin while he was in bed sleeping, according to KMVT. Besides that, Kuintzle has a mixture of charges ranging from felonies to misdemeanors, including battery on a correctional officer, burglary, and grand theft.
Law enforcement initiated a major search for Kuintzle last week when he had walked away from the St. Anthony Work Camp on Thursday.
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The work camp is described as a 400-bed facility with minimum security for men in custody, according to the IDOC website . “The facility provides residents with opportunities for full-time, constructive, paid employment with government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private employers,” it reads.
Many people in the community expressed concern about why Kuintzle was at a minimum security facility, given the seriousness of his charges.
IDOC spokeswoman Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic responded to the concerns in a statement to EastIdahoNews.com on Wednesday.
“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.”
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Kuzeta-Cerimagic said IDOC will have more details after the Serious Incident Review, and there is currently no timeline for when that might be finished.
EastIdahoNews.com asked IDOC how long Kuintzle had been at the St. Anthony Work Camp before he walked away. The agency did not respond to the question.
“How in the world they classified him as a minimum to be transferred clear over to the work center in St. Anthony is beyond me,” Jerome County Capt. Gary Taylor told the Idaho Statesman in an email. “I have no idea who did what that screwed that.”
According to IDOC standard operating procedures, minimum custody inmates may be assigned to facilities with a non-secure perimeter, such as the work camp.
The online documentation said that at a work camp, inmates might be unescorted. However, staff or a designated person will make visual observations of the inmates at least every two hours. “Minimum custody is designed to house inmates who typically are nonviolent and/or low-risk crime, high risk-crime but nearing a release date, do not present an obvious escape risk or do not present an obvious threat to public safety.”
Kuintzle was spotted in Idaho Falls Friday afternoon, and Idaho Falls Police officers said they believed he was involved in an attempted carjacking and theft of a firearm. He was considered armed and dangerous.
An alert was also sent out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Bonneville County last week. It said the following:
This is an important message from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A Federal firearm licensee in Bonneville County, ID, has experienced a larceny resulting in a firearm being stolen. Please ensure the security of both your inventory and property and report all suspicious persons or activity to your local police department.
ATF spokesman Jason Chudy confirmed the alert was regarding Kuintzle, who he said was responsible for stealing a single firearm from Steel Gun and Pawn LLC in Idaho Falls, across the street from Walmart on Utah Avenue.
Eventually, Kuintzle made his way to Pocatello later on Friday, where he was found and arrested without incident. In Bannock County, he is facing a misdemeanor petit theft charge, which was filed earlier this week.
Bannock County Prosecutor Stephen Herzog told EastIdahoNews.com he is unaware of any additional Bannock County charges.
EastIdahoNews.com talked with Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal, who said nothing has been presented to him for charges. We contacted Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake, who said Kuintzle will be facing charges for felony escape.