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Wanted: When Convicts Go Missing

Second in a series

Fugitives hiding within reach

On the run for 4 months, a sex offender wasn't caught until after he struck again. Updated Mar. 23, 2011

Each year in Minnesota, about 1,800 convicted criminals become fugitives. Some commit serious crimes while on the run from state and local agencies with few resources devoted to finding them. This series examines the failures of Minnesota's supervised-release program.

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This image provided by the Saint Paul Minnesota police department show...

Jason Jones: A no-show at his probation meeting
Article By: JIM SPENCER ,Star Tribune Publish May 5, 2010 2:00 AM / Update May 5, 2010 6:44 AM
Despite being a no-show at probation meeting, he wasn't high-profile fugitive.

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This image provided by the Saint Paul Minnesota police department show...

Joshua Martin: Probation in lieu of prison
Article By: RICHARD MERYHEW , Star Tribune Publish May 5, 2010 2:00 AM / Update May 5, 2010 7:42 AM
He got probation in lieu of prison time after he agreed to go into treatment.

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40% of offenders fail on supervised release in Minnesota
Article By: GLENN HOWATT and PAM LOUWAGIE , Star Tribune staff writers Publish October 28, 2010 2:00 AM / Update April 20, 2011 7:28 PM
State considers focusing resources on monitoring high-risk offenders.

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Latasha McCorkle reflects on the loss of her mother.

Fugitives take a toll on state
Article By: PAM LOUWAGIE and GLENN HOWATT , Star Tribune staff writers Publish July 25, 2010 2:00 AM / Update March 23, 2011 4:49 PM
Many convicts on supervised release abscond and commit more crimes.

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Cons pull vanishing act over and over
Article By: PAM LOUWAGIE and GLENN HOWATT , Star Tribune staff writers Publish October 10, 2010 2:00 AM / Update April 20, 2011 4:45 PM
Even if convicts have fled supervised release before, Minnesota law requires them to be released on it again.

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Plainclothes officer Dave Schiebel covers the back yard.

Fugitive hunters
Article By: PAM LOUWAGIE and GLENN HOWATT , Star Tribune staff writers Publish August 29, 2010 2:00 AM / Update September 1, 2010 9:07 AM
A small squad of Department of Corrections officers takes to the streets to catch those who have fled from supervised release.

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more from investigators

A Lethal Dose: The war on synthetic drugs

They carry names like Bliss and TranQuility, but don't be fooled: Synthetic drugs can be deadly. From a small town in Oklahoma to suburban Minnesota, these products have generated unusual violence and physical suffering. Efforts to control these substances remains a losing battlle.

Violated

State regulators have failed to protect some of Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens from being victimized by their care givers. Even known criminals have obtained state permission to work in nursing homes and other care settings.

Losing Our Lakes

Home builders are routinely allowed to break the rules on shoreline development. Polluters are allowed to keep polluting. And clean-up efforts are falling short. While public officials are trying to save Minnesota's iconic lakes, their efforts are undercut by a lack of federal mandates.