A convict dubbed the “Bolder Than Most Rapist” is scheduled to walk free next week, but his victims are pleading with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office to keep him behind bars.
Convicted rapist Alvin Quarles is set to be released 25 years early from his 50-year prison sentence for a string of rapes committed across San Diego County in the 1980s.
He was arrested in 1988 after allegedly raping women at knifepoint and forcing the men who were with his victims to watch the sex crimes. He later pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and six counts of burglary with intent to commit and felony and two counts of robbery.
In his plea deal, 46 other charges were dropped.
“When I found out he was to be released, I fell apart,” said victim Cynthia Medina.
During a news conference with high-profile attorney Gloria Allred in San Diego on Friday, Medina spoke about her encounter with Quarles.
She said he told her, “We are going to play some games,” before assaulting her in a hotel room she was sharing with her boyfriend.
Another victim Mary Taylor shares Medina’s fear that Quarles will go free. She said he pointed a knife at her and told her to undress.
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Her only peace after the experience came when the DA at the time guaranteed that Quarles would serve his full sentence.
"It's clear to me now that the statement made by the DA's office 25 years ago was a bold-faced lie," said Taylor.
Quarles’ victims weren’t expecting him to be released until he was at least 70 years old. However, pre-1994 sentencing laws allow Quarles to get out of prison halfway through his sentence.
He was due to be released on parole Nov. 16, but will stay in custody until a jury decides if he qualifies as a sexually violent predator.
In that case, he would be committed to the Department of State Hospitals for sex offender treatment, according to the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. He would be held for an undefined amount of time until he is no longer a threat to the community.
Medina and Taylor are vying for that option, asking the DA to prove Quarles is a danger to others.
In response, the DA’s office released the following statement of support for the victims on Friday:
“We share the serious concerns voiced today about the public’s safety and the previous state law that unfortunately allowed for this early release. As a result, we’re working closely with the victims in this case who deserve the peace of mind that this convicted rapist won’t be able to harm anyone in the future.”
Quarles’ probable cause hearing to be civilly committed will take place next month.
