The U.S. Marshal's Service said on Thursday that a man accused of raping two women, including a mentally-challenged woman confined to a wheelchair, was suspected of hiding out in a state on the East Coast.
U.S. Marshal David McNulty called on the public to help find 29-year-old Michael Steven Hawkins. His friends reportedly know him as "Zombie Mike" because of his bad personal hygiene.
According to officials, Hawkins raped a wheelchair-bound woman in 2012 as her family slept nearby. A warrant was issued for his arrest at the time but he was never located.
Hawkins was also accused of raping the wife of a friend in 2013. He was charged with first-degree assault in that case.
Authorities said that Hawkins had "personal ties in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Oregon, California and Florida, but his whereabouts are currently unknown."
“Due to his past employment with traveling carnival companies based in New Jersey and North Carolina, he could be working and traveling with similar companies in Ohio, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and states along the East Coast,” a statement from Marshals said. ”Hawkins is a 5-foot-9 white male and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.”
His unique physical characteristics include a 1 ½ inch scar on his face, a burn mark scar on his right arm, and a chest tattoo of the Grim Reaper. According to friends, he is known to have a temper and abuse alcohol.
Marshals urged anyone with knowledge of Hawkins' whereabouts contact the Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or email usms.wanted@usdoj.gov. A $5,000 reward was being offered for information leading to his arrest.
“Predators like Michael Hawkins who prey on helpless victims must be brought to justice,” McNulty said. “We, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, are determined to make sure he’s held accountable, but we need the public’s help.”
Watch the video report below from Delaware Online.
