UPDATE: Shelter Island Police make an arrest at Kennedy Airport

Shelter Island Police Department (SIPD) officers, along with other law enforcement agencies, arrested an alleged rapist at Kennedy Airport this week who was attempting to flee the country.

According to Det. Sgt. Jack Thilberg, Manuel Escalera Ibanez, 23, of Madrid, Spain was taken into custody at 10:22 p.m. on July 21 as he waited to board an international flight.

Mr. Escalara Ibanez was arrested for an alleged rape that was reported the day before.  He was taken into custody by SIPD  detectives along with the assistance of  officers from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to the police.

Mr. Escalara Ibanez was charged with Felony Rape in the First Degree, and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, a misdemeanor.

He was in the United States on a J-1 Visa and had been employed on Shelter Island, Det. Thilberg said.  A J-1 visa is a non-immigrant designation that allows for participation in work- and study-based programs. 

The defendant was transferred to Shelter Island Police Department headquarters and processed before being arraigned in Shelter Island Justice Court. 

Mr.  Escalara Ibanez was then remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead and held in lieu of $150,000 cash bail, or $ 200,000 bond, or a $500,00 partially secured bond.

The court ordered the surrender of his passport and, that if released, he must remain in the State of New York until further direction from the court. An order of protection was issued on behalf of the alleged victim.

On Thursday, Det. Sgt. Thilberg said that according to his knowledge, Mr. Escalara Ibanez was still incarcerated.

UPDATE: According to Mr. Escalara Ibanez’s LinkedIn page, he was a full-time Camp Quinipet Waterfront Safety Instructor.

The Camp has sent out a notice: 

“Dear Quinipet Families,

“We are genuinely saddened about a recent incident. The incident occurred between camp sessions when no children were on-site and did not involve any campers.

“This matter is the subject of a criminal investigation, and we are cooperating with local law enforcement in this regard.

“At Quinipet Camp & Retreat Center, the safety, care, and enrichment of every child and staff member are central to our mission. We uphold rigorous, longstanding safety protocols and regularly review our policies to ensure that all staff meet or exceed national standards and have met with our staff to once again remind them of our safeguards and compliance practices.

“We understand that families and members of our community may have questions. However, out of respect for the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we will not be providing further comment at this time.

“We remain firmly committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for all who come to Quinipet. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we navigate this difficult time with transparency, compassion, and full resolve.”

Camp officials had no comment when reached by the Reporter, and no further comment was forthcoming from the Police Department.