MEDIA RELEASE
Date: February 6, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM
On February 1, 2012 the United States Marshals Service arrested a violent Levy County fugitive that fled to Mexico in 2002.
Stephen Ray Douglass, 62 was wanted for failing to register as a sex offender. Douglass was convicted in 1989 for brutally raping a woman in Florida. During the sexual assault, he intimidated his victim and threatened her with retaliation if the victim disclosed the crime.
Douglas served a fifteen year sentence in the Department of Corrections and was required by law to register as a sex offender for life. Douglas failed to register as a convicted sex offender and absconded in 2002 and his whereabouts were unknown. Due to Douglass not complying with State Statue a warrant was signed by Judge Joseph Smith and bond was set at $ 10,005.00.
Through a lengthy investigation the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, which Levy County deputies are members of sent a collateral lead to the US Marshals Service in Arizona. Douglass a United States citizen was living in San Luis Colorado Sonora, Mexico. US Marshals were able to coordinate Douglass' arrest at the Port of Entry.
On February 2, 2012 Honorable David Glant signed a Levy County Capias for Douglass' arrest and increased his bond to one million dollars. Douglas is well known by law enforcement and has been arrested for aggravated assault, battery with a weapon, aggravated battery and sex offenses.
Douglass is currently in jail in Yuma, Arizona. Included in this press release is Douglass' residence in Mexico.
Defendant:
Stephen Ray Douglass
Sonora, Mexico
W/M, 10/13/1950
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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218