Accused Serial Rapist Agrees With Prosecutors To Stay In Jail

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A Baltimore County man accused of raping several women decades ago agreed with prosecutors at his bail hearing Thursday: He should stay in jail, according to authorities and a report.

James Shipe Sr., 70, of Parkville, was arrested Wednesday in connection to the rapes of five Baltimore County women, police said in a news release. According to authorities, Shipe is accused of raping the women between 1978 and 1986.

In an unusual move, Shipe agreed with prosecutors during Thursday's hearing, telling a judge he should be denied bail and remain in jail, WBAL reported.

A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 8, according to WBAL.

Shipe was identified as a suspect in the rapes after police reviewed past cases involving him and by forensic evidence collected under the GBMC Slide Project.

According to WBAL, police visited the crime scenes and collected fingerprints from four. In May, fingerprints from the second rape victim's apartment matched Shipe, police told the station.

“While we know today’s arrest cannot erase the harm Shipe inflicted upon the survivors, the Baltimore County Police Department has removed a dangerous threat from our communities,” Police Chief Robert McCullough said in a statement.

The Baltimore County Police Department is asking anyone with information about other sexual assaults possibly involving Shipe to contact police at 410-307-2020. Survivors who would prefer to speak with a victim advocate can contact the department’s victim advocate by calling 443-345-7587 or emailing aharkins@turnaroundinc.org.