Carver County Jail Booking Photo
WACONIA, MN: A Carver County Jail inmate is facing a felony escape charge after allegedly attempting to flee from a hospital in Waconia while receiving medical treatment, according to a criminal complaint filed in Carver County District Court.
Quinn Stephen Swanson, 39, has been charged with one felony count of escape from custody following the November 4, 2026, incident at Ridgeview Medical Center.
According to the criminal complaint, a Carver County Sheriff's Office deputy was contacted at approximately 2:15 p.m. to transport Swanson from the Carver County Jail to Ridgeview Medical Center for a medical issue.
Earlier that day, Swanson had appeared in court for a bail hearing related to a separate felony identity theft charge. Conditional bail was set at $200,000 cash or bond in that case.
The complaint states that the deputy remained outside Swanson's hospital room while awaiting the completion of his medical evaluation so he could be transported back to the jail.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., a doctor informed Swanson that his test results were normal and that he would be discharged back to the jail.
As nurses prepared his discharge paperwork, Swanson allegedly stepped past a nurse and the deputy and attempted to flee.
According to the complaint, Swanson was still wearing his jail uniform and had no shoes when he ignored commands to stop and ran toward the emergency room's main entrance.
The deputy reportedly caught up with Swanson, and both fell to the ground. However, Swanson allegedly pulled away and continued running down another hallway, passing through closed doors and moving farther into the hospital.
The deputy eventually caught Swanson again and was able to take him back into custody, according to the complaint.
Swanson has been charged under Minnesota Statute 609.485 with felony escape from custody. The complaint lists potential maximum penalties of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, or 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both, depending on the applicable sentencing provision.
The escape charge is separate from the pending felony identity theft case.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Swanson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.