Seattle residents are asking why a career criminal with 28 arrests and 13 convictions was allowed to walk the streets before allegedly kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old girl.
Joshua V. Kowalczewski, 36, allegedly lured the girl from a school bus stop in the Northgate neighborhood and dragged her into nearby woods, where he sexually assaulted her.
Kowalczewski was allowed to enter Seattle’s ‘Drug Prosecution Alternative’ diversion program just one week before he allegedly raped the teenage girl.
He was later captured when firefighters saw him defecating on the sidewalk after he burned clothing that was connected to the attack, according to police.
The man was charged with first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping.
A judge set Kowalczewski’s bail at $1 million after prosecutors argued he was a threat to public safety given his criminal past. That criminal past included convictions for the following:
- DUI;
- Theft;
- Assault;
- Drug possession;
- Criminal trespassing;
- Violating protection orders; and
- Possessing burglary tools.
Prosecutors said that Kowalczewski was allowed to enter Seattle’s “Drug Prosecution Alternative” diversion program just one week before he allegedly raped the teenage girl.
The suspect initially denied ever talking to the girl, according to detectives, but then later admitted that he approached the girl because he thought she was “hot.” He also allegedly admitted asking her to go the woods but denied assaulting her.
The girl was treated at the Seattle Children’s Hospital and given a sexual assault examination.
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The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said it pursued rape charges instead of child rape charges because under Washington law, rape charges carry harsher penalties.
The office also explained that it was difficult under state law to hold a suspect based on misdemeanor charges.
“Prosecutors are bound by the sentencing guidelines from state lawmakers; that’s what judges go off of when they make determinations,” communications director Casey McNerthney said. “It’s pretty difficult to hold somebody on a misdemeanor in some instances.”
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