ONEIDA COUNTY -- A man locked up for rape and kidnapping a woman in June managed to briefly escape the Oneida County Correctional Facility on Wednesday.
Just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday, deputies say 25-year-old John Santoro escaped from the jail’s recreation area.
According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, he Santoro caught just a few minutes later, not far from the facility. Santoro is now charged with first degree escape, a felony. He was arraigned at the Oriskany Court and returned to the Oneida County Correctional Facility without bail.
Santoro was arrested of raping and kidnapping a woman in Rome back in June. At the time, the victim told police she had been tied up, held captive against her will, and forcibly raped.
Oneida County Sheriff's office says Santoro was convicted of rape, kidnapping, first degree criminal sexual act, third degree aggravated sexual abuse, aggravated criminal contempt, first degree criminal contempt, first degree unlawful imprisonment, third degree criminal mischief and fourth degree tampering with a witness.
An investigation into his escape is ongoing.
