Seattle Police Department officers re-arrested a convicted serial rapist who was mistakenly released from custody whilst awaiting sentencing, requiring a month-long search before apprehending the 50-year-old man in North Seattle.
The suspect was convicted by a jury in June on rape charges but was erroneously bonded out of the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent on July 26. Detective Eric Munoz confirmed the release violated standard procedures for convicted rapists.
“Typically, what is supposed to happen when someone is convicted, especially rape in the second degree, they’re to remain in custody, so this was clearly an error,” Munoz told local media.
The case originated from a 2019 sexual assault investigation involving a woman attacked in an abandoned South Seattle house. Detectives linked the suspect to the crime through positive DNA evidence from the scene and referred charges to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Following his July release, community members reported sightings of the man in the Seattle area, prompting detectives to issue a be-on-the-lookout alert to patrol officers. The search continued for exactly one month before his capture.
Officers spotted the suspect standing on a pavement near North 141st Street and Linden Avenue North around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. When detained, the man provided false identification, but officers successfully verified his identity and completed the arrest.
The re-arrested suspect was booked into King County Jail on a felony bench warrant for rape in the second degree. He faces more than 13 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by King County Superior Court.
The incident raises questions about custody protocols and communication between the court system and detention facilities. The month-long period during which a convicted rapist remained at large represents a significant public safety concern for the community.
Seattle Police used the announcement to highlight SEEK THEN SPEAK, a new reporting tool designed to help sexual assault survivors explore options, connect with local resources, and begin the reporting process. Additional resources are available through SPD’s website.
The case demonstrates both the vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system’s custody procedures and the importance of community vigilance in reporting suspicious individuals to law enforcement authorities.
