U.S. marshals are looking for information about a convicted sex offender wanted in the District, who has a history of failing to comply with release conditions.
Wondwossen Kassu, 33, is wanted on a warrant issued in D.C. Superior Court on July 16, for failure to register as a sex offender, according to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He is also wanted on a federal warrant issued in February, charging him with parole violation on a dangerous drugs charge.
The sex offense occurred on Oct. 11, 2001, on the 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW. Authorities said Kassu approached a 13-year-old girl while she was walking home from school, grabbed her arm, began fondling her breast and said, "You're gonna be with me."
The girl fought him off and went home, and police were contacted. The girl took police back to the scene of the incident and identified Kassu, officials said. He was convicted of second-degree child sex abuse and received an 18-month sentence in 2002.
Kassu's criminal record dates back to the late 1990s. Authorities said he has been arrested several times for drug-related offenses, assault, unlawful entry and parole violations, and he has also had multiple parole and failure to appear warrants issued for him.
"Kassu is a dangerous individual who has a record of failing to comply with his conditions of release while on parole or pretrial release," Deputy Marshal Bill Straw said. "Help us get him off the streets."
Kassu is described as about 6 feet tall and 200 to 228 pounds. He is known to frequent Northeast and Northwest D.C.
Anyone with information can call Straw or the U.S. Marshals Service at 301-489-1717 or 800-336-0102.
Readers of The Washington Examiner have submitted tips that have led directly to the arrests of 45 fugitives.
