RPD warns public to not act out illegally against sexual predator Pirate
REDDING, Calif. — Redding police (RPD) warned Monday that residents should not act out illegally against a sexual predator named Daniel Selovich, who has legally changed his name to Pirate.
"I want him off the streets, I don't care what he's done," Redding resident Larry said.
RPD Sgt. Todd Cogle says they have made contact several times with Pirate and they say he has made it clear he wants to stay. Because there are no current warrants out for his arrest officials say he is a free man.
"Don't try to grab him or attack him if you see Pirate out and about," Sgt. Cogle said. "I live here and I have loved ones here as well. I know it's worrying to know that he is on the streets but he is a free man. You have to treat him like every other man you see on the street."
The story of Pirate has crossed several state lines. The Alaskan community of Fairbanks had recently voiced their opinion of Pirate living in their town. Many posting and sharing on Facebook that due to his dark past he shouldn't be free.
In 2010, Pirate was arrested in New Mexico for a Redding rape case. He pleaded no contest in the Redding rape case and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Once he was out of prison, Pirate moved to Alaska in 2015 where he was accused of committing one of his most horrific crimes but was never convicted. The community there spoke out against him living in the state.
"I felt like I was speaking for my community," Fairbanks resident Thomas Bailey said about a December video he posted where he's seen demanding Pirate to leave. "I just felt like women who are victims of sexual violence needed a voice so I was telling him to get out of Alaska."
For now RPD says Pirate has reached out to them about how he feels he's not safe.
"He has a substantial criminal history and at this point he has paid his debt for what he's been convicted of," Sgt. Cogle said.
