Court date set for Smith

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Russell Smith, 37, was arraigned Friday morning on rape and forcible sodomy charges after being brought back from Oregon late Thursday night by two Prince William police detectives.

Smith arrived at Washington-Dulles International Airport with Prince William police.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge William Alan Becker set Smith’s next court date for Oct. 21, almost two months after he originally left his Dale City home with his daughter Tara, 12.

Smith was wanted for rape and forcible sodomy against a minor. He fled his home on Aug. 17 after quitting his job as a Prince William/Manassas regional jail corrections officer Aug. 14.

His Sept. 5 capture was the culmination of a nation-wide manhunt that included the Prince William police, U.S. Marshals, the FBI, the Douglas County, Ore., Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies. The case was featured on the TV show “America’s Most Wanted,” which produced tips that ultimately helped lead authorities to Smith.

He is being kept in special housing at the Prince William/Manassas regional jail because he is a former employee.

Col. Glenn Hill, the jail superintendent, said Thursday that Smith will be housed separately for his own safety.

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