Sex Offender and Accused Rapist, Kidnapper Captured By U.S. Marshals in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL -The U.S. Marshals North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office; working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Orlando Regional Task Force (ORTF) apprehended a convicted sex offender in Orlando this afternoon wanted for rape in Santa Rosa County. Michael Wayne Cooper, 46, was arrested at his home on the 8600 Block of Banyan Boulevard in Orlando without incident. At approximately 2:45 p.m. (EST), Deputy Marshals and members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office knocked on Cooper’s front door. After Cooper opened the door, he was arrested. Cooper is wanted by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on charges of kidnapping, sexual assault on a victim 12 years or older and displaying a weapon during a felony. Cooper is also a Registered Sex Offender in the state of Florida. He was currently registered at the address where he was arrested.

The U.S. Marshals fugitive task force was first contacted by the Santa Rosa County Major Crimes Unit Wednesday evening, when they believed that Cooper may be back in Orlando. Task force members responded and began working with them to coordinate Cooper’s apprehension in the Orlando area. The North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force (NFVFTF) immediately contacted their office in Orlando, who then in turn hit the streets canvassing the local area trying to locate Cooper or his vehicle. After two days of almost non-stop surveillances and an intense investigation, the ORTF members came across him back at the residence they had been watching.

“We have been working with Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office a lot more since they have recently joined our task force,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Dominic Guadagnoli, spokesman for the Pensacola Fugitive Task Force.

“This is that exact kind of case that we can help the local authorities with and I think that it shows the success of law enforcement agencies working together.” “And, especially in a case like this where the police and the public want these violent fugitives arrested as soon as possible,” said Guadagnoli.

The charges allege that Cooper who has been previously convicted several times for kidnapping and rape charges, approached his victim outside a nightclub in Ft. Walton Beach on July 8. Cooper allegedly and forced her into his 1999 Ford Explorer using a knife and then took her to Santa Rosa where he raped her. And later returned her to the Ft. Walton Beach area and left her there.

After his arrest Cooper was taken to the Orange County Jail while he awaits extradition back to the panhandle. Cooper’s vehicle was also seized pending crime scene unit processing.