Dec. 31, 2006
Child Rapist Added to U.S. Marshal’s 15 Most Wanted Fugitives
By Jim Kouri
Special to Huntington News Network
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 their 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.