Saturday, December 10, 2011

The U.S. Marshals Service has added a black man from Detroit to its 15 Most Wanted fugitive list: Corey D. Gaston, a child rape suspect who got away twice

Gaston is charged in the 2007 rape of a 10-year-old girl who was kidnapped from her bedroom while she slept. Police got a lucky break in the case: The attacker dropped his cell phone at the scene, leading to Gaston's arrest. At his arraignment, Gaston was released on bond and fled the state. He was picked up in Georgia days later and brought back to Detroit. He was released on bond a second time and hasn't been seen since. "They just let him run," the 10-year-old's mother said. "We were victimized, and we're still being victimized," she said. "It's a shame. And there's nothing I can do about it. I don't feel it's right. Somewhere, somebody did something wrong." According to court records, after his arrest, Gaston was arraigned in 36th District Court, where he was released after posting 10% of a $50,000 bond. Gaston fled the state, but U.S. Marshals in Georgia picked him up days later. His case was remanded to Wayne County Circuit Court, where Judge Deborah Thomas allowed him to post 10% of a $200,000 bond, pending DNA results. The DNA turned out to be a match. But Gaston was gone and didn't show up for his February 2008 trial. "I couldn't believe it. I was just lost for words," the mother said, recalling her feelings after Gaston's disappearance. "They stabbed me in my heart for the second time." Gaston, 33, has been driving trucks since 2002. He has ties to Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, California, Canada and Mexico. He is black with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet 7, weighs 170 pounds and is pigeon-toed, with a distinctive bowlegged walk, officials said. He also has a scar from staples in the right side of his head. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for information leading to Gaston's arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at 800-336-0102.

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