Indianapolis, IN
Carmel woman cleared of aiding murder suspect accidentally released from Indy jail
3 things to know if you share information with Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana allows Indianapolis residents to share anonymous tips with law enforcement.
A Carmel woman had no idea her then-boyfriend was released from jail accidentally when she picked him up from Marion County’s Adult Detention Center last year, her attorney said.
Prosecutors have now dropped the criminal charge brought against 29-year-old Desiree Oliver.
“I’m glad the prosecutor’s office looked at the case again and dismissed it,” said defense attorney Scott DeVries. “It was the right thing to do.”
Oliver had been facing one count of assisting a criminal. The charge was brought against her during a saga involving the Marion County Sheriff’s Office accidentally releasing a murder suspect.
Kevin Mason, 29, was arrested in Indianapolis and being held to face charges in a 2021 murder case in Minnesota. He is accused of killing a 29-year-old man in a shooting after the funeral of a mutual friend, according to The Star Tribune in Minneapolis.
Mason was mistakenly released from the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis on Sept. 13, 2023. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said a records-keeping error was to blame for his release.
Officials waited six days before informing the public of Mason’s release to use the time as a “tactical advantage” in keeping him from running underground, the sheriff’s office said.
Previous coverage: Murder suspect mistakenly released from Indianapolis jail captured by US Marshals
He had been picked up by Oliver shortly after his release. Investigators kept covert tabs on Oliver in hopes she would lead them to Mason, but later announced they believed Mason had left Indianapolis.
After Oliver picked Mason up, she brought him to a Walmart and purchased him a few items then dropped him off on the north side of Indianapolis at his request, Oliver’s attorney said.
“She didn’t let him go back to her house because she didn’t want trouble with someone who had just been arrested,” DeVries said. “It wasn’t until days later the sheriff’s office publicized the guy had been released by mistake. She had no idea he was a fugitive.”
More than a week after Mason was released, the sheriff’s office announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture as the manhunt continued.
Mason was eventually apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sept. 27, 2023. He is currently in custody at the Hennepin County Jail in Minnesota with the murder charge brought against him pending, Hennepin County court records show.
The charge brought against Oliver was dismissed on April 4, with prosecutors citing “evidentiary problems” in their motion.
“I respect them for doing that, and they rightfully dismissed the case,” DeVries said.
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.
Indianapolis, IN
Silver Alert declared for 16-year-old boy missing from Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Robert Williams Jr., a 16-year-old Black male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 185 pounds, has black hair with brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a gray coat, blue sweat pants, and black tennis shoes.
Williams Jr. is missing from Indianapolis, and was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Investigators ask that anyone with information on Williams Jr. contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6541 or 911.
Indianapolis, IN
The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Peace Fellowship is an initiative from the city, providing solutions to reduce gun violence in our city.
WRTV spoke with Dane Nutty, President & CEO of the Indy Public Safety Foundation, about its efforts in 2025 and continued targets ahead for 2026.
“A lot of times, you have an idea of what the community wants, you have an idea of what people need, and so, we certainly have a significant engagement with the community daily,” Nutty said.
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The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review
Finding solutions to gun violence has been one of the city’s biggest hurdles.
“This year that we’re looking at annual data, we’re over 20% reduction in criminal homicides and nearly 30% reduction in non-fatal shootings, but again, I think it’s a testament to the investments that have been made over the last three to five years and really lifting not only targeted intervention but also community voices in violence intervention,” Nutty said.
Nutty said that the relationships built with the community, IMPD and organizations throughout the years helped foster greater results in 2025.
“I think after the first couple of years, you know, when you launch a really huge new strategy, it takes a little time to kind of cement those partnerships and ensure that we’re being most effective and intentional with our work, and we’ve really seen that come into play this year,” Nutty said.
Looking ahead to 2026, Nutty said his team will continue to review data daily to help cultivate the best outcome.
“We might have an incident in the community that results in either the potential for retaliation or, you know, some additional trauma that that neighborhood or that community has incurred,” Nutty said.
OPHS
Every year, Indy Peace Fellowship’s goal is to reduce homicides by 10%.
“As of today, we’re down over 20% in criminal homicides year to date, so we’re certainly, again. We’re happy that we met that goal. That doesn’t mean that the work has completed, right? That we can just say, ‘Hey, we’ve done it all, we’ve fixed the problem.’ There’s a lot of work to move forward,” Nutty said.
Nutty added that they are seeing nearly a 30% reduction year-over-year in non-fatal shootings. Further proving that community outreach and targeted impact are working.
Indianapolis, IN
IMPD officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated after showing up to work smelling of alcohol
INDIANAPOLIS — An officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI).
According to a news release from IMPD, Bryan Gibson, an officer with the department, arrived at the department’s southeast district in his personal vehicle on the evening of Dec. 10 for a scheduled administrative duty shift.
When Gibson arrived, the department alleges that Gibson smelled like alcohol. After an investigation from the department’s OVWI unit, the special investigations unit and internal affairs, the release said that Gibson was determined to be under the influence of alcohol.
On Dec. 11, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Gibson without pay and recommended his termination to the department’s civilian police merit board.
The release said that at the time of the incident, Gibson was assigned to administrative duty. Officials said that Gibson did not have police powers while under administrative investigation for an unrelated personnel matter.
On Wednesday, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office officially filed charges against Gibson for:
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
Gibson’s initial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026, the release said.
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