Denver – A former FBI agent claims that serial killers have been exploiting FBI informants over the years, leading them to believe they are aiding law enforcement while actually targeting innocent victims.
Scott Kimball, sentenced to 70 years in prison in 2009, could face life behind bars in a Colorado federal prison.
“He manipulated the FBI into participating in this charade,” Grusing stated in a conversation with a news outlet, remarking that Kimball’s situation is one of a kind. “For him, it’s all about winning the current game.”
Kimball, now 58, has a history of being a con artist, frequently bouncing in and out of prison from a young age. In the 1990s, he became involved with law enforcement as a police informant, while simultaneously committing crimes himself. After being arrested for check fraud in Alaska in 2001, he befriended Steve Ennis, his cellmate facing drug charges. I guess you could say it was a kind of mutual manipulation—Kimball convinced Ennis he could handle his legal issues. During this time, he also formed a relationship with Ennis’ girlfriend, Jennifer Malcolm.
After establishing a connection, he tipped off the FBI that Ennis was plotting to kill a witness, and quickly earned the status of a confidential informant. Kimball was subsequently moved to a lower-security prison and later released.
Grusing pointed out that Jennifer Malcolm ended up being a primary victim in Kimball’s scheme. “He deceived Steve into thinking he was helping while isolating Jennifer,” Grusing noted. By February 2003, as Kimball solidified his role as an informant, Malcolm had already been killed.
Over the years, Kimball has claimed responsibility for the deaths of four people, including Malcolm, and confessed to more than 20 others. He once mentioned to his attorney that the number could climb as high as 50. The identities of most of his victims remain a mystery.
Following his arrest, law enforcement linked him to additional murders, including that of another stripper, Leann Emry. Another victim, Kayci McLoed, went missing in August of that year, and her murder was connected to Kimball as well.
In 2004, he even killed his uncle, Terry Kimball, which further underlined his manipulative capabilities as he led the FBI on false trails with misleading information, claiming he was the last person seen with his victims.
By 2006, pressure from victim’s families finally prompted the FBI to scrutinize their informant. “It wasn’t just two fathers bringing their concerns to us; Kimball was linked to both Jennifer and another girl, Keishi,” Grusing explained. “But Kimball relished in the game, claiming he was good at deceiving everyone.”
Kimball was arrested again in California in March 2006 on fraud charges, and while serving time, the FBI charged him with murder in 2009. Yet, the manipulation continued.
“We were aware he was leading us in circles, but his insight was unique,” Grusing lamented. “He found joy in the chaos he created while remaining untouchable.” Eventually, the remains of McLeod and Emley were found.
Remarkably, during the lengthy investigation, Kimball questioned why he wasn’t labeled like other serial killers. “He remarked, ‘Because I only kill when the opportunity presents itself,’” Grusing recalled. As of now, Malcolm’s body has yet to be recovered.
