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Two killers on loose from Arizona prison, helped by fiancée - UPDATE: ONE CAUGHT in Yellowstone | Ryn Gargulinski: Rynski Life
by Ryn Gargulinski | Blogski Archives, crime, danger, death, life, notable folks, heroes, police, fire, law | 23 comments
As if Arizona doesn’t have enough headaches, we now have two convicted murderers on the loose, along with a devoted fiancée who allegedly help set them free, according to Wanted posters issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.
DOJ’s U.S. Marshals Service warns folks to be on the lookout for convicted killers John Charles McCluskey, 45, born in Arizona, and Illinois-born Tracy Allen Province, 42. McCluskey’s fiancée, the dangerously devoted Casslyn Mae Welch, just turned 44.
Perhaps she wanted to celebrate her birthday with hunky hubby-to-be McCluskey.
A third man, Tucson’s own Daniel Renwick, 36, escaped along with the other two, but he was caught in Colorado Aug. 1.
The group of convicted killers began their foray into freedom Friday, July 30, after cutting a hole in the fence of the privately-operated Arizona State Prison in Kingman.
“Precisely how they escaped is under investigation,” Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan told CNN, saying the place may have some “operational security problems.”
U.S. Marshals warn the convicts are to be considered “armed and dangerous,” a fact the escapees already exemplified. Shortly after their escape, the trio and their female accomplice hijacked a semi on Interstate 40 near Kingman, abducting the truck’s two drivers.
They took the truck and drivers on a ride to Flagstaff, about 135 miles down the road, before setting them free and giving back their truck.
At least none of the killers added any additional murder convictions to their rap sheets.
John McCluskey, who has used the alias Charles McCluskey, has thus far served a mere 12 months of his 15-year sentence for second-degree murder. This sentence was conveniently running concurrently with two other 15-year-sentences, one for discharging a firearm at a structure and another for aggravated assault.
He is described as “white or white Hispanic,” 6’1” tall and 200 pounds. He has blue eyes, brown hair, and a chest tattoo.
Tracy Allen Province, admitted to prison in January 1993, received a life sentence for first-degree murder and armed robbery which went down in 1991. That means his parole was scheduled as early as 2016.
Province is described as “white or white Hispanic,” 6’2” tall and 180 pounds. He has blue eyes, blond or strawberry hair and a tattoo on his back.
No word on what images are depicted on either man’s tattoo, but we wonder if they say “Mom.”
Renwick, who was already recaptured, is in the midst of two consecutive 22-year sentences, each for second-degree murder.
Welch’s photo shows a brown-haired, brown-eyed woman with an obvious smirk. Her rap sheet includes a 2009 traffic ticket recorded at Globe Regional Justice Court, but is perhaps on its way to becoming much more colorful.
Alas, that thing called love.
We have a litany of updates on the Kingman prison escapees John McCluskey, Tracy Province, and their accomplice Casslyn Welch.
In addition to allegedly killing an Oklahoma couple in New Mexico, updates on the trio include:
* Believed to be hiding in or near Yellowstone National Park
* Province thought to split from McCluskey and Welch, with Province on south side of park and McCluskey and Welch in northern area
* Claudia Washburn arrested for helping her son, McCluskey, after the prison break. Claudia is married to Jack Washburn, who owns and runs convenience store near Payson. Jack is McCluskey’s step-father who said he was unaware his wife was helping her fugitive offspring.
* REWARDS being offered: $25,000 from private company running Kingman prison and $15,000 reward from U.S. Marshals Service.
CNN reports that Tracy Province, one of the two escaped convicts has been captured.
Update at 1:39 p.m. ET: The Billings Gazette quotes law enforcement authorities as saying Province was captured near the town of Meeteetse, Wyo.
Update at 1:49 p.m. ET: KPHO TV in Phoenix refers only to “unconfirmed reports” of a capture, but adds that the Arizona Department of Corrections, U.S. Marshals Office and other law enforcement officials plan a news conference soon to announce a “significant development” in the search for the two escaped prisoners.
Update at 1:51 p.m. ET: The Associated Press in Phoenix confirms the capture of one of the prisoners, quoting unidentified authorities.
Seen them? Know them? Want to report them? Call 911
What do you think?
Would you help someone break out of prison?
Would you help or have you helped someone do anything illegal? What?
azmouse on 08/02/2010 at 9:37 am
No way would I help someone break out of jail/prison…that woman’s crazy to ruin her life over this guy who’s probably just using her anyway.
I guess some women are just suckers for guys in orange jumpsuits.
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Rynski on 08/02/2010 at 9:47 am
hahhaha! – suckers for guys in orange jumpsuits – too funny – but also prob. too true.
i’m with you on this one, azmouse. if a guy wants to get himself into hot water, he can boil all by himself.
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andrew farley on 08/02/2010 at 9:59 am
Aww, it could be a fun life, breakin’ out your hubby, driving a new car everyday or even a big 18 wheeler! Adventure, fast food and meeting new people everyday! “floppies whimsical” itc
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Rynski on 08/02/2010 at 10:43 am
you know, you could be right about life on the lam, always looking over your shoulder waiting to get shot, could be a real thrill!
i would have to argue about the fast food, though – i’d only be up for it if lunch included raided salad bars (hahaha).
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leftfield on 08/02/2010 at 10:53 am
It’s an odd phenomenon that I don’t understand, but there are a certain number of people out there (mostly women to my understanding) who preferentially correspond with and develop romantic relationships with inmates.  I write to my imprisoned comrades and I visit them from time to time, so I have been around a prison or two.
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Rynski on 08/02/2010 at 11:39 am
i noticed the phenomenon, too, leftfield. it is odd.
thankfully i’ve noted it from all the true crime i read and follow, rather than from my own personal experience (haha).
my theory is a guy (or woman) in prison makes an ideal mate for some because:
1. they won’t leave dirty socks on the floor or otherwise mess up the house
2. you always know where they are
3. they won’t be out bar hopping and are less likely to cheat (at least with folks of the opposite sex)
4. they will always be glad to see you
good for you on writing to your imprisoned comrades – how kind. i would be wary of sending them cakes with razor blades in them, however (haha).
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Gonzales Morales on 08/02/2010 at 11:34 am
This is confusing.  All my family are here with no documents.  We are  exempt from US laws.  Therefore, we can not do something “illegal”
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Rynski on 08/02/2010 at 11:41 am
OK, gonzales morales – just answer OTHER and you’ll be fine.
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Ethics 101 on 08/02/2010 at 11:38 am
Aw, Geeze.  This is another twist on the old “would you steal a life-saving drug to save a loved one if you can’t afford to pay for it”:::  Of course,  we would steal the medicine;  we ain’t that ethical.
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Rynski on 08/02/2010 at 11:40 am
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mayo on 08/02/2010 at 11:47 am
WHITE HISPANIC…..this is a crock of s@#t..if they had any hispanic in them, they would be on there way to MEXICO…all of a sudden they want to call the kettle BROWN when in deed its WHITE…..
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radmax on 08/02/2010 at 3:03 pm
Hi Rynski! Quite a trio of miscreants you have here…
I’m wondering what sort of institution allows this ilk of criminal to get such a nice jump on the authorities…trustees status perhaps?
I bet Lefty’s cronies are not even allowed such privilege.
One thing is for sure, if I ever need a jailbreak and a gal to hijack a semi…radmiss would be more than willing and especially able. (there is something about her that scares the beegeesus out of me) 😉
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azmouse on 08/02/2010 at 6:14 pm
That’s when you know you gotta a good when….when they scare the beegeesus outta ya, yet ya keep comin’ back for more.
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Rynski on 08/02/2010 at 6:16 pm
hahaha! miscreants is a great word!
also wonder myself how the trio got so far away. how sweet! you found the perfect gal who is willing to hijack, pillage and jailbreak for you – sounds like a match made in heaven!
bet she even likes fast food – hahhaha.
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happywalkin on 08/02/2010 at 9:09 pm
Rynski, I don’t know where you got your information, but it is not correct. Ms. W is not his girlfriend she is a relative.  You make light of it the news makes to much of it and the truth falls between. I pray she is alive when this is all over.
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Rynski on 08/03/2010 at 7:09 am
as noted in the article, news sources included DOJ’s U.S. Marshals Service and CNN. Welch was also profiled in an AZ Republic article that notes the following:
Casslyn Welch, 44, of Mesa, is known to her neighbors as friendly. She was often seen with her boyfriend, convicted murderer John McCluskey, 45.
if you have conflicting info, please do share it with authorities – and also feel free to e-mail me more at rynski@tucsoncitizen.com
as far as making light of it – it’s not to diminish the importance or overall gravity of the situation in any way, that’s my style. not only is it how i often write, but also deal with life.
‘if you don’t laugh, you cry’ theory.
as far as news making too much of it – i’ll agree that news makes too much of a lot of things, that’s the nature of the beast. but i’ll also say that three convicted murders escaping from prison, especially when reportedly abetted by the relative/girlfriend, IS a big deal.
your prayers are kindly and i, too, hope everyone is alive after this is all over. but if she did, in fact, help them escape, she may have had an inkling as to what she was getting into….but that’s just my opinion.
thanks for input, do appreciate it. and again, please feel free to e-mail me more info. thanks.
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kodiakbears on 08/05/2010 at 10:29 am
you might want to add that inmates are very  charming and personable and will engage in conversations / ego driven and thinks about his self-centered ego all the time / looks for excitement as an alternative for being bored and/or lonely / likes to be deceptive and lies often and uses trickery to control the matter / possesses the ability to manipulate staff and makes it look like he is your friend / does not care much about the feelings of others but will use them to gain access to materials or opportunities that benefit themselves in a most selfish manner.
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kodiakbears on 08/04/2010 at 9:51 am
I think this was a case of sloppy work and lax supervision by a private contractor in Arizona. This state agency depends on contract monitors to ensure quality control and compliance however, in this case, it appears the MTC group may have failed the public thus allowing these 3 inmates to escape. Ultimate responsibility falls on the state and the state agency director. He is responsible for public safety and this goes down the chain of command not the other way around. Holding them accountable is the solution to ensure repeat events do not occur. The correctional officer needs both logistic and administrative support to do a good job. Anything less is unacceptable
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kodiakbears on 08/05/2010 at 9:02 am
This escape has put Arizona on the headlines nationwide – now they are calling us a state of fools because we allowed three murderers to escape from the Kingman prison. This is not a true reflection of Arizona and must be changed. Governor Brewer, put your foot down and ask for accountability before it becomes a political banner for your election this fall. Leadership starts from the top and Governor Brewer serves the people of AZ who have been put in jeopardy after this escape. Now, whether they are in AZ or heading East, you are still responsible for whatever they do out there as the CEO of the state. Put your foot down on your agency and implement your control on them before this is a runaway issue and somebody else escapes or these loons murder someone out there. Don’t let this become your political backdraft; take action immediately to show you are in charge!! The vote will be on leadership governor, and you are being way to quiet as a leader to show you are in charge.
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kodiakbears on 08/05/2010 at 10:22 am
• Charming and personable and will engage in conversations • Ego driven and thinks about his self-centered ego all the time • Looks for excitement as an alternative for being bored and/or lonely • Likes to be deceptive and lies often and uses trickery to control the matter • Possesses the ability to manipulate staff and makes it look like he is your friend • No conscious or guilt trip on his misconduct • Does not care much about the feelings of others • Predatory in nature and will hurt you • Impulsive and assertive thus unpredictable • Continually blames others for his misfortune in life • Doesn’t do the crime and is in denial and thinks and convinces others he is a good person. Ya think he fooled her??
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kodiakbears on 08/07/2010 at 11:08 pm
Now the damage control really begins to point the fingers at anybody and everybody but the Director and his close circle of friends who will try to do everything they can to salvage this matter and play the smoke and mirror game to win over the governor who would be fool to keep them. Ryan, his division director Patton and their close circle of influential friends are all sitting around the large wooden table in their conference room, plotting and scheming who is going to fall for their mistakes. Same game, different date. Blame the Correctional Officer, the casemanager, the central office classfication coordinator and everybody who you can spare to keep your jobs. Private prisons don’t same money when you link the cost of an escape and homicide in the overall plan// Mr. Ryan, who is “on the hook” for this couple’s death, you and your private prison buddies or the correctional officer who didn’t spot the prison break.. I hear the music, I think its a two step… out the door sir…
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fraser007 on 08/08/2010 at 1:03 am
The article was written before these guys were (?) connected to two murders in NM. Therefore these guys hopefully will be shot and killed by the police.
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kodiakbears on 08/08/2010 at 9:29 am
I am with you on your recommended due process. I am hoping this will result in their lawful termination of life as they know it for I believe if you live by the sword, you die by the sword and we already know the death penalty takes way too long and these guys don’t do time well as already demonstrated. Lawful termination is hopefully the end of this fiasco and rightfully so.