1/18/11 – VIDEO: FBI Fugitive Found Dead in Eastern Kentucky
WSAZ-TV News Channel 3
January 18, 2011
Reporter: Brad Meyers
FBI Fugitive Found Dead in Eastern Kentucky
The FBI says the fugitive behind numerous brutal beatings of children and adults has died in Kentucky.
John Erwin Kolbek was what amounted to an enforcer in a religious cult. According to the FBI’s website, Kolbek administered savage beatings back in 2008 to discipline children and adults at the cult’s compound in Arkansas.
Kolbek died last Thursday of an apparent heart attack at a home in rural Lawrence County, Ky., just outside of the small town of Blaine.
Lawrence County Sheriff Garrett Roberts says Kolbek’s wife, Jennifer, was contacted by her estranged husband. Roberts says Jennifer Kolbek told police her husband called her from Somerset, Ky., saying he was sick and needed her to come get him.
Two days later, Kolbek called 911 to report her husband was not breathing. She identified herself to police as “Michelle Jones” and said her husband “John Jones” needed help.
John Kolbek died a short time later, but it wasn’t until his body was taken in for an autopsy that authorities realized he was wanted by the FBI. Roberts says authorities were able to identify Kolbek by his fingerprints.
Kolbek was the focus of a manhunt by the FBI since 2008, and was even on the TV show “America’s Most Wanted.” The FBI had an arrest warrant issued for Kolbek in Arkansas for allegations of beating two cult members.
According to the FBI, Kolbek was an “enforcer” at Tony Alamo Ministries. Alamo is currently serving a 175-year prison sentence for taking minors across state lines for sexual purposes. Witnesses testified during Alamo’s court hearings that Kolbek would severely beat members of the cult.
Kolbek had been on the run for more than two years after the FBI charged him with felony battery and fleeing charges. Roberts says it’s unlikely Kolbek had been hiding out in Kentucky this who time.
Jennifer Kolbek is not a fugitive, and police say it’s unlikely she’ll be charged with any crime.
COMMENTS POSTED ON WSAZ:
Posted by: Wendy on Jan 18, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Justice is served!!!!!
Posted by: Investigate More on Jan 18, 2011 at 10:50 PM
More investigation should be done. The talk in Blaine is that Mrs. Kolbek has frequented the stores and businesses in Blaine for a long time.
Posted by: NoFreaksHere on Jan 18, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Halleluliah! Another religious freak has finally met his maker! I sure hope he didn’t get a chance to inflict further brutality on our brethren or to promote sex with our innocent minors during his 2 years on the lamb. Even though our society doesn’t believe in “an eye for an eye”, we can depend on our Lord to handle that for which we are too weak to pursue. Way to go!
Posted by: john walsh on Jan 18, 2011 at 07:39 PM
I previewed this scumbag on my tv show AMW. I am so glad there is closure.