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Convicted Child Rapist Arrested While Hiding Out In Seattle

Sex Offender Was Living In Queen Anne Church Parking Lot

Darren Dedo,

July 24, 2008, 10:23 PM PDT

A convicted child rapist that escaped authorities in New York is arrested while hiding out near the Space Needle. U.S. Marshal's say Level 3 sex offender, 41 year old Jamie Lamere was wanted for failing to register as a sex offender and parole violations.

U.S. Marshal's say Lamere spent the last three weeks camping out in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Catholic Church near Seattle Center.

Lamere's friend Jason Jordan says the New York man didn't go quietly when authorities found him.

"He took off running; I was just watching him I tried to make it around the corner. I heard a pop, I heard someone yell, I got around the corner and they were tasering him," said Jordan.

U.S. Marshal's say Lamere popped up on their radar after the convicted child rapist left New York State.

According to Tom Lanier with the U.S. Marshal's Office an iconic Seattle symbol led authorities right too Lamere.

"We actually had information from the state of New York that he was apparently residing somewhere here. He could park his car with a view of the Space Needle," said Lanier.

Investigators pin-pointed Sacred Heart Church as Lamere's hiding spot, because, it's a common place for homeless people to camp out.

So, for three weeks the convicted child rapist lived just yards away from an area filled with kids, Seattle Center. That angers mothers like Arlene McDaniel.

"If they're level 3 and their most likely to re-offend then they should be put away forever, because, they're capable of attacking any child, capable of anything," said McDaniel.

Church officials declined to speak with us on camera, but, they did tell Q13 Fox News they do not screen for sex offenders sleeping on their property.

Jamie Lamere was convicted in 2000 of raping two young girls, one 5 years old, the other 12. He was paroled in New York back in April.

Authorities say he registered as a sex offender, but, months later he violated his parole by moving to Seattle. Lamere is now facing federal charges.

The 41 year old remains behind bars at the King County jail. If he doesn't fight extradition he will be sent back to New York State within the next couple of weeks.