A federal jury convicted Alfredo Capote of kidnapping on April 16, following a four-day trial in Atlanta. Capote was found guilty of tying up a Gwinnett County woman’s teenage son, sexually assaulting the woman, abducting her, and driving her to several cities across Georgia over two days. At the time of the crime, Capote was already under indictment for fraud and money laundering.
The case highlights efforts by federal authorities to prosecute violent crimes that threaten community safety. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia has prioritized addressing threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, and civil rights violations to serve its community, according to the official website.
“While on pretrial release facing serious federal charges, Capote kidnapped and sexually assaulted his then-girlfriend repeatedly before she escaped and ran to safety,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The victim’s family deserved justice for her terrifying ordeal, especially after the victim was gunned down mere weeks after her rescue. I am grateful for the strong federal and local law enforcement partnerships throughout Georgia that led to Capote’s capture, charging, and conviction.”
“This was a deliberate and brutal crime carried out against a victim who trusted the defendant,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI and our partners worked tirelessly to get justice for the victim’s family, and today’s verdict sends a clear message that we will not stop until violent offenders are held accountable.”
According to information presented at trial: On April 7, 2016, Capote staged an armed robbery with an unknown masked man at his then-girlfriend’s home in Duluth before sexually assaulting her while both were armed. He later transported her through multiple locations including Austell—where he again assaulted her—and Perry before she managed to escape at a gas station.
During this period Capote cut off his court-ordered ankle monitor while on bond facing more than twelve counts related to wire fraud and money laundering in northern Georgia courts. He remained a fugitive until his arrest in Louisiana over one year later.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 22 before U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves as principal federal law enforcement agency in northern Georgia—a region covering about 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs up to borders with Alabama and Carolinas—coordinating cases with nationwide or international dimensions according to its official website (source).
Hertzberg currently holds the position of United States Attorney for this district according to its official website. The office enforces criminal laws federally while collaborating with other agencies on public safety matters as reported by its official site.
