The state Department of Corrections has notified the Pleasant Prairie Police Department that convicted sex offender Albert W. Rutledge, released into a Pleasant Prairie location earlier this week, is now missing.
Rutledge may be intending to visit a girlfriend in Twin Lakes and/or go to Illinois, police said.
From a statement released by police today:
On Wednesday afternoon, March 9, 2011, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections notified the Pleasant Prairie Police Department that a recently placed sex offender, Albert W. Rutledge, had left his placement location, in the area of I-94 and Wilmot Road, contrary to the conditions of his release. Rutledge has not returned, and the Department of Corrections is unaware of his whereabouts.
Prior to leaving, Rutledge confided to a roommate that he intended to visit a girlfriend in the Twin Lakes area and/or go to the Chicago area. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections advised that a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Rutledge’s offenses include: Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child (2006), Fourth Degree Sexual Assault – 2 counts (2002), Fourth Degree Sexual Assault (2002), Repeated Sexual Assault of the Same Child – 4 counts (2002), and Sexual Assault of a Child Under 16 (2001). The sexual assaults included force and a weapon. Rutledge has been convicted of assaulting teen and preteen females and a male between the ages of 10 and 13 who were both acquaintances and strangers.
Pleasant Prairie Police Department Detectives are now assisting the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in an effort to locate Rutledge. Anyone with knowledge of Rutledge’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency immediately. Rutledge was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and possibly a red, windbreaker style jacket.
The full press release, including a description of Rutledge, is available here.