Most Wanted Child Abuser Captured

A former law enforcement officer who is accused of raping his own 10-year-old daughter, videotaping it and putting in on the Internet, has been captured in Hong Kong. Kenneth John Freeman, one of the U.S. marshals most wanted, was arrested at the airport as he arrived from mainland China.

Freeman has been a fugitive since failing to appear at a March 23, 2006 court hearing in Richland, Washington. He had been arrested on three counts of first degree sexual assault of a child and released on $50,000 bond. He fled after additional charges were filed.

Freeman's daughter appeared on television's "America's Most Wanted" after he disappeared. Her television appearance helped the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identify her as the victim shown in a series of child pornography videos that were the most widely downloaded files on the Internet.

"We're rejoicing today. An awful man, an evil man has been captured," Chris Peale, the girl's stepfather, said at a news conference. "Without her strength and conviction, this would never have happened. She stood up in front of America and said what had happened to her, and that's an admirable thing."

The United States does not have an extradition treaty with mainland China, where Freeman has been staying, but it does with Hong Kong. When the U.S. marshals learned in April that Freeman planned to travel to Hong Kong, they made arrangements for him to be arrested.

Volunteer Sheriff's Deputy

Unconfirmed reports said Freeman, an avid body builder, injured four police officers when he resisted arrest. It was not known of Freeman was also injured.

Freeman is a computer expert who volunteered in the 1980s as a reserve sheriff's deputy in southeast Washington's Benton County.

"This is an embarrassment to law enforcement because of what he is accused of," Benton County Sheriff Larry Taylor said. "We're just all happy to see him in custody."

Earlier Articles:
Pervert Alert: Kenneth John Freeman

See Also:
Arrest Made in Internet Child Abuse Case