SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

SUSPECT ARRESTED

The investigation being conducted in reference to the below mentioned offender has yielded an arrest. Michael Wayne Cooper was apprehended at his home on the 8600 block of Banyan Boulevard in Orlando , Florida without incident. Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Investigators contacted the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Wednesday evening, after believing that Cooper had gone back to the Orlando area. Task Force members then responded and began coordinating Cooper's apprehension in Orlando. After two days of non stop surveillance and an intense investigation, Task Force members came across Cooper back at his residence that they had been watching. The Task Force members along with Orange County Sheriff's Office personnel then took Cooper into custody and transported him to the Orange County Jail where he is awaiting his extradition back to Santa Rosa County . Cooper's vehicle, the green Ford Explorer, was also seized to be processed for evidence. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office is greatly pleased with the way that the U.S. Marshals worked together with our agency, as well as the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. Without the joint effort of all agencies involved, Cooper's arrest would not have been possible in such a timely manner. Please direct all inquiries to either Sgt. Scott Haines at 981-2136 or Dominic Gaudagnoli (USMS) at 554-6602. Interviews will be done jointly.

Convicted Sexual Offender Being Sought For Kidnapping and Sexual Assault Charges

On July 08, 2007, during the early morning hours, an unidentified female victim was leaving a night club in Ft. Walton Beach when she was encountered by a male suspect, who forced her into his green Ford Explorer. The male suspect then placed a knife to the victim's throat and demanded that she cooperate. The victim was then driven to a secluded area, believed to be in Santa Rosa County , at which time the suspect repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim over a period of a few hours. The suspect then began to drive back into Okaloosa County , at which time the female victim was able to escape from the vehicle. As the victim ran from the vehicle, she was able to observe the tag that was on the back of the vehicle. The victim was able to clearly see the Florida Personalized License Plate "PRISR". As the victim ran away, she continually repeated the tag number to herself in an effort to remember it. Law enforcement was then contacted, and a joint investigation commenced involving the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. The tag that was provided by the victim to the investigators was a vital piece of information. The suspect vehicle was registered to a woman who is now deceased, but it was determined that she had an adult son (Michael Cooper) who is a registered sexual offender in the State of Florida. Cooper was previously arrested and convicted of Sexual Battery with a Weapon and Kidnapping charges. The victim was able to identify Cooper as being the one that attacked her. Cooper's last known address was in Orlando , Florida. Authorities in Orlando have confirmed that Cooper uses the Ford Explorer that was used in the crime as his primary vehicle. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Michael Cooper on the below mentioned charges. Law enforcement is asking for the public's help in locating Cooper. Anyone with information concerning the vehicle or Cooper's whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP, or the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 981-2134. A photograph of Cooper is attached to this email.

SUSPECT:

Michael Wayne Cooper, B/M, 46 years old

8600 Block of Banyan Drive , Orlando , FL

Charges:

Kidnapping, one count, 1 st degree felony

Use of a Weapon during the Commission of a Felony, one count, 3 rd degree felony

Sexual Assault, two counts, 1 st degree felony

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

850-981-2136

850-698-4441