Kendall pleads guilty to attempted burglary

Jeremiah Kendall has struck a plea deal with prosecutors for the crimes allegedly committed during his short-lived escape from custody earlier this year.

Kendall, 41, pleaded guilty to a single count of attempted burglary, a felony, in Lincoln County District Court on Aug. 16. He was initially charged with two counts of burglary, tampering with or fabricating evidence, theft of property exceeding $5,000 and misdemeanor theft in addition to attempted burglary.

Kendall racked up the charges while fleeing from custody in April. Sentenced to serve two decades behind bars for the brutal beating of his then-girlfriend in 2014 but in quarantine after coming into contact with an individual infected with the coronavirus, Kendall was placed on house arrest, ordered to turn himself in on April 9. Instead, law enforcement watched as he fled his home on a four-wheeler on April 7.

He spent about a week on the run, eventually caught after law enforcement began tracking his wife, who was suspected of aiding him. Following her and another man to Forest Service Road 6209, investigators found Kendall. He was arrested following a short foot pursuit.

For breaking house arrest and fleeing authorities, Kendall earned an escape charge and, ultimately, an extra 10 years on top of his original sentence — without the possibility of parole.

He was sentenced for the escape in June. His alleged accomplices, Jennifer Kendall and Fredrick Hersel, face obstruction of justice charges in Lincoln County District Court.

Investigators believe that during his time on the run, Kendall stole a Polaris side-by-side from one individual and blankets from another. He also approached an area home, stopping only when he saw a surveillance camera, court documents said. He allegedly grabbed the camera and tossed it away from the house.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will recommend he serve a suspended, 20-year sentence, which will run concurrent to his previous sentences. All other charges besides attempted burglary will be dismissed.

Kendall appeared in district court last week from the Lincoln County Detention Center, where he has been held since his capture, via videoconferencing software.

Kendall’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 13.