Topic category: Other/General
Child Rapist Added to US Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives
by Jim Kouri, CPP
Accused child rapist Kenneth John Freeman, 44, has been added to the United States Marshals Service’s list of 15 Most Wanted Fugitives.
Freeman is wanted on multiple counts of child rape in the first degree, as well as federal charges of manufacturing, possessing, and distributing child pornography. Freeman, a former reserve deputy sheriff with the Benton County, WA Sheriff’s Office, is accused of videotaping and photographing some of his sexual offenses for distribution.
“The danger this individual poses to the general public and young children is alarming,” said Marshals Service Director John F. Clark.
“By adding him to our list of 15 most wanted, we can increase the pressure on this fugitive and use our vast network of fugitive task forces to bring Freeman to justice,” Clark said.
Freeman was first arrested in Richland, WA, on three counts of first degree sexual assault of a child in November, 2005. He was released on a $50,000 bond and later fled after additional charges were filed against him. He failed to show up for a scheduled court hearing in Richland on March 23, 2006, and has not been seen since.
Due to his extensive training with firearms, his previous employment as a security officer and his former affiliation with law enforcement, Freeman is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Freeman is a 44-year-old white male who weighs 250 pounds and is 6 feet, 2 inches tall. He has hazel eyes and brown hair. Freeman is a bodybuilder whose weight fluctuates and he may frequent gyms and health clubs. He is also very computer literate and capable of building and programming his own computer.
"Dangerous fugitives such as this are given the highest priority by the Marshals Service because of thier potential to harm other innocent citizens while they remain at large," said Art Roderick, Assistant Director of the U.S. Marshals Investigative Services Division. “We will use all of the resources at our disposal.”
There is a $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest, and all inquiries remain confidential. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals Service office, or call the Marshals’ 24 hour phone line at 1-800-336-0102.
U.S. Marshals are the nation’s primary fugitive hunting organization and capture more federal fugitives each year than all other law enforcement agencies combined.
Jim Kouri
Chief of Police Magazine (Contributing Editor)
Biography - Jim Kouri
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for a number of organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores. Kouri holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and master of arts in public administration and he's a board certified protection professional.