By A former FBI operative states that a convicted serial killer, who moonlighted as an FBI informant, managed to mislead authorities for years—all while committing murders.
Scott Kimball will almost certainly spend the rest of his life behind bars after being handed a 70-year sentence in 2009. He admitted to killing four individuals between 2003 and 2004; however, investigators believe he may have more victims than those officially confirmed.
Former FBI Special Agent Jonny Grusing, commenting to , described Kimball’s actions as manipulative and calculated. “He made a game out of tricking the FBI,” Grusing said, adding that in Kimball’s view, “as long as he won the game … that’s all that mattered.”
Kimball—now 58—was not just a killer, but a seasoned con artist. During his earlier years, he repeatedly maneuvered within the criminal justice system: he served time for fraud, worked as an informant for local agencies, and even blamed alleged crimes on cellmates.
In 2001, after being arrested for check fraud in Alaska, Kimball befriended his cellmate, Steve Ennis (charged in a drug case). He convinced Ennis that he had ties to powerful connections and could arrange for key witnesses to “be taken care of.” He then forged closer relations with Ennis’ girlfriend, Jennifer Marcum.
Kimball later filed a tip with the FBI, alleging that Ennis planned to have certain witnesses killed. That claim was accepted, and he was granted status as a confidential informant. This helped him secure a lower security classification and eventual release from custody.
While acting as an informant, some of Kimball’s provided intelligence proved false or misleading. Indeed, much of his cooperation was later discredited, causing embarrassment to the Bureau.
Kimball’s confirmed victims included individuals close to him, including his own uncle. Wikipedia Some bodies were never recovered.
The FBI’s decision to rely on Kimball has come under scrutiny, and the case is considered one of the more disturbing examples of how criminals can exploit law enforcement systems from within.