US Marshals offer $10,000 reward for murder suspect Kevin Mason who was ACCIDENTALLY released from jail in Indiana – and cops kept the error a secret for six days

U.S. Marshals have offered a $10,000 reward for murder suspect Kevin Mason, who was accidentally released from prison in Indiana due to a clerical error on September 13.

The police then kept the mistake secret for another six days before admitting their mistake to the public.

Mason, 28, was arrested on September 11 after more than two years on the run for allegedly shooting Dontevius Ahmad Catchings at a funeral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

It’s been eight days since he was accidentally released, and the Marion Co Sheriff’s Office has announced a cash reward for any new information or leads on the fugitive’s whereabouts.

Colonel James Martin told it NBC News that the accidental release occurred when one of the inmate clerks was changing books for Mason and accidentally deleted two of the charges against him after thinking they were duplicates.

Col. James Martin told NBC News that the accidental release occurred when one of the inmate clerks was changing books for Mason and accidentally dropped two of the charges against him after thinking they were duplicates.

Mason, 28, was arrested on September 11 after more than two years on the run for allegedly shooting Dontevius Ahmad Catchings (PHOTO) at a funeral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The wanted poster distributed by US Marshals describes Mason as “armed and dangerous,” wanted for murder, adding that he has “scars/tattoos” on his cheek, neck and chest.

Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said in an update Wednesday that a woman, identified as 29-year-old Desiree Oliver, was arrested for assisting a criminal.

The Level 5 crime came because officials believed Oliver, who officers identified as Mason’s girlfriend, knew his location based on her alleged actions after he was released, according to FOX 59.

Mason was charged with murder, parole violation and possession of a firearm.

Colonel Martin said the release was ‘a critical error, a critical error,” adding that the two archives officers responsible have been fired as a result.

Since Mason’s release, a frantic manhunt has begun, with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office working with Beech Grove Police, Speedway Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to locate him.

The $10,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to Mason’s arrest.

As for those allegedly helping Mason stay under the radar, Martin said authorities won’t stop until he’s brought back in.

When he was initially arrested in Indiana on September 11, he had three separate arrest warrants out of Minnesota for murder, parole violation and firearm possession.

The reason police waited six days to reveal that Mason had been accidentally released from jail was so they could gain a “tactical advantage” over him.

Col. Martin said the release was “a critical error, a critical error,” adding that the two records officers responsible have been fired as a result.

“We will be very aggressive when we pursue you. We will find you and we will prosecute you, just like we did with Desiree Oliver,” Martin said.

Mason currently has four convictions for violent crimes, managed to evade arrest for more than two years and is said to have once hid in Florida.

When he was initially arrested in Indiana on September 11, he had three separate arrest warrants out of Minnesota for murder, parole violation and firearm possession.

The reason police waited six days before announcing that Mason had been accidentally released from jail was so they could gain a “tactical advantage” over him.

He is described as 6 feet tall, 205 pounds, with distinctive tattoos including the word SUB on his chest and a cross under the eye.

Anyone with information regarding Mason’s whereabouts is urged to report the information to the U.S. Marshals.

Officials have also urged Mason to turn himself in through their safe surrender program.