Federal agents are searching for William John Shaeffer, 45, a Maryland man convicted in connection with a 2002 rape, who is now wanted for violating the terms of his federal supervised release. Authorities say DNA evidence later tied Shaeffer to the attack, and he served a 16-year sentence before being released to federal supervision. Officials report that a warrant was issued last year after investigators alleged he ignored the conditions of his release.
Charging documents state that in 2002, the victim was using a payphone when she was approached and taken to a nearby home, where investigators allege the suspect pushed her down a flight of stairs, knocked her unconscious, then tied her up and forced sex. A sexual-assault forensic exam produced an unknown DNA profile that investigators say matched Shaeffer in 2010 and ultimately led to charges. Officials told reporters he was found more than 250 miles away in Butner, North Carolina. Shaeffer was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree assault, first-degree sex offense, second-degree assault, and false imprisonment, and was later sentenced to 16 years in prison followed by mandatory supervised release, as reported by FOX45 News.
The U.S. Marshals Service is leading the effort to track Shaeffer down and has activated its Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force along with local partners, a tactic the agency has also used in recent Baltimore-area operations. In public releases, the Marshals describe those multi-agency sweeps as a way to clear outstanding warrants and capture violent fugitives across jurisdictions. Recent press materials highlight the District of Maryland's use of task-force operations in multi-agency enforcement efforts, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Court records reviewed by reporters and detailed in the Marshals' notice show Shaeffer's supervised release began in 2022 and is set to run until 2027. Investigators say he violated those terms in 2025, including testing positive for drugs in consecutive months, leaving the STAR program on East Preston Street and threatening a supervising agent, which prompted the warrant. Authorities have warned that Shaeffer is known to have violent tendencies. He is described as about 5'7" and 160 pounds. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service tip line at 202-819-5058, as reported by FOX45 News.
Legal implications
Under federal law, a court may revoke supervised release and order a new term of imprisonment if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a condition was violated. The primary statute governing post-release supervision is 18 U.S.C. § 3583, as outlined by the Legal Information Institute, which allows courts to continue, modify, extend, or revoke supervised release and to impose additional prison time in appropriate cases. Federal sentencing guidelines provide a framework for judges weighing whether to revoke release or impose alternative sanctions.
How to help
If you recognize Shaeffer or see someone matching the description, do not approach. Call the U.S. Marshals Service tip line at 202-819-5058 and notify local police. Officials say marshals and partner agencies are following leads across state lines and are asking community members to report tips promptly.
