David Russell
SAN JOSE — A manhunt for a wanted sex offender began on August 31st when the suspect, 56-year-old David Russell, became the top priority for the San Jose Megan’s Law Unit as they began piecing together evidence that Russell was attempting to kidnap, beat, and rape several teenage girls.
According to San Jose Police, “On August 29, 2016, at approximately 5:00 PM, a suspect later identified as David Lee Russell physically assaulted and attempted to kidnap a young female victim in the area of Meridian Avenue and Hamilton Avenue.”
The San Jose Police Department immediately sent out a request for the public’s help after learning of a second attempt. Police were now on the hunt to find and locate the wanted sex offender who was known to law enforcement as a transient after being released from prison in 2013.
The second attempted kidnapping occurred on September 1, 2016 at approximately 5:00 PM., when Russell physically assaulted and attempted to kidnap another young female in the area of Hillsdale Avenue and Narvaez Avenue.
A team of officers working with the robbery unit and Megan’s Law Team successfully arrested Russel near Oakland Road and Charles Avenue in San Jose after pulling over a suspected stolen vehicle.
Russell has a known rap sheet that extends over twenty years. He first began his assault on the community in 1989 when he was arrested an convicted for felony sexual battery.
After being released, Russell was charged in 1992 for assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation. He then faced charges for marijuana and failure to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison in 2008. After a parole violation sent him back to prison he was again released in 2013.
Garcia said the San Jose PD received numerous tips from the community that ultimately resulted in Russell’s arrest. Russell is expected to face 2 counts of attempted kidnapping, 2 counts of attempted kidnapping to commit a sexual offense, 2 counts of assault with intent to a commit a felony, and an outstanding misdemeanor no bail warrant for DUI.
