'Dungeon Rapist' Captured in South Carolina

A convicted sexual offender who was released from prison after serving only nine years of a 20-year sentence, has been charged with abducting and assaulting two teenage girls in a hidden underground room behind his South Carolina mobile home.

Kenneth G. Hinson, 47, was arrested after a four-day manhunt about one mile from his home after he walked out of the woods to a relative's home where someone called the authorities.

The manhunt began after two 17-year-old girls who were tied up in a room under a shed on Hinson's property were able to get free and escape. The room was not visible from outside or from inside the shed, police said.

The manhunt made national news when photographs of the handmade "dungeon" in a rural Hartsfield trailer park were broadcast on news networks. Hinson was convicted in 1991 of raping a 12-year-old girl. He was released after serving only nine years in 2000.

Released to Offend Again

"This man was sentenced to 20 years. Had that 20 years meant 20 years, he'd still be in jail now, and this wouldn't have happened," South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster told reporters.

Before his release from prison, a review committee recommended that Hinson be committed to a mental health facility for treatment, but Judge Edward Cottingham ruled that prosecutors did not show probable cause that Hinson would offend again.

"Obviously I regret that these young children were raped by this man," Judge Cottingham told the Associated Press.

UPDATE: County Magistrate Deatrice Curtis denied bond Saturday for Kenneth Hinson who faces charges of criminal sexual assault, kidnapping and assault and battery with intent to kill.

See Also:
Ex-Con Denied Bond in S.C. 'Dungeon' Rapes
Ex-Con Charged in S.C. 'Dungeon' Rapes
Dungeon Rape Suspect Captured in South Carolina
Judicial Decision May Have Led to Dungeon Rapes

More Information:
Locate Sex Offenders

More Crime News:
Top Stories
Current Investigations and Trials
Daily Crime Headlines