Prosecutors File Felony Charges After Violent Bellevue Rape

BELLEVUE, WA — King County prosecutors have filed three charges in connection with a violent rape and home invasion at a Bellevue apartment last week.

Elias Valdez, Jr. faces charges of first-degree rape, first-degree burglary and felony harassment. Prosecutors requested that bail be set no lower than $1 million, to "ensure the safety of the victims and the safety of our community at large."

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's office also cited Valdez's extensive criminal history, including previous convictions of robbery and cruelty to animals. Prosecutors noted the suspect was also subject to a separate sexual assault protection order issued in May.

"The facts of this case are terrifying and incapable of rationalization," prosecutors wrote in a court filing. "The defendant appears to have stalked the victim in this case prior to unlawfully entering her home."

According to prosecutors, officers quickly responded to an apartment complex in the Lake Hills area in the early evening on Tuesday, Aug. 4, after the victim's 8-year-old daughter called 911 to report that a man armed with a knife had forced his way into their apartment. The girl was able to escape to a neighboring apartment and wait for the police.

Shortly after officers arrived, they located the victim in tears and hyperventilating, then quickly detained and questioned Valdez. The woman told police she was taking a nap upstairs when a man she did not know entered the home, claiming he was there to fix something in the apartment.

Court documents said the suspect moved toward her holding something sharp, which police later determined to be a silver paint scraper. The woman told investigators Valdez threatened to kill her daughter if she did not cooperate and she feared for both of their lives. She said he ignored her attempts to stop him, choked her and forced her into sexual acts until the police arrived. Police said a suitcase inside the apartment, belonging to the suspect, contained duct tape and other items.

The woman said she did not know her attacker, but had noticed a suspicious man outside her apartment a few days before, who may have been the same person. At the time, she said the man was wearing a face mask and heavy sweatshirt, despite the warm weather, and made her feel uneasy.

Detectives said Valdez denied carrying out the attack and claimed the victim was his "girlfriend," but could not provide her name when asked. He was placed under arrest and the woman was taken to Overlake Hospital for medical evaluation.

Valdez is schedueld for an arraignment on Thursday, Aug. 20, where he is expected to enter a plea. The judge set bail at $1 million.