A former vice detective from Los Angeles, who was notably sentenced to 102 years in prison for a string of rapes years ago but gained parole in 2020 due to changes in California law, has found himself back in custody this week, officials confirmed.
Michael Douglas Brambles, aged 77, faces serious charges, including kidnapping for the purpose of robbery while wielding a firearm, linked to an alleged robbery and sexual assault case, as detailed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
Adding to the gravity of the accusations, Brambles is additionally charged with several aggravating factors. These include committing a crime of intense violence, targeting a particularly vulnerable victim, executing the crime in a manner that indicated premeditation and professionalism, and demonstrating violent behavior that poses a significant threat to public safety, according to statements from the district attorney’s office.
Michael Douglas Brambles, 77, is charged with kidnapping to commit robbery while personally using a firearm in connection with an alleged robbery and sexual assault, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office; Lou Benoist/ AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities allege that Brambles entered Arabella’s Boutique located in Thousand Oaks, California, just as an employee known as SW was locking up for the evening. Reportedly, he pointed a handgun at her, compelling her into the store’s backroom. There, she was bound and subsequently sexually assaulted, marking a chilling return to criminal activity.
He is also accused of stealing from the business before he left.
The sexual assault allegations cannot be charged because the statute of limitations has passed.
Shortly after the crime, Brambles was identified as a suspect, but he was already being prosecuted for a string of robberies and sexual assaults.
He was convicted on 26 counts, including 18 armed robberies and multiple sexual assaults.
After being sentenced to 102 years, SW’s case was dismissed, which she agreed with, believing he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
But he was able to apply for parole in 2020 under a California law that allows elderly inmates to apply.
Victim SW speaks at the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office press conference this week. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)
At his parole hearing, Brambles denied sexually assaulting any women besides the cases he had already been convicted for in Los Angeles County.
While examining SW’s cold case as part of the federal Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office investigators realized he had been paroled.
Brambles was arrested on Wednesday and is being held in Ventura County on $2 million bail.
“A few months ago, when investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office contacted me, I was shocked to hear not only that this man was walking free, but that he had been out of prison for six years,” SW said at a press conference this week. “The justice that I and his other victims deserved was denied when he was only required to serve a fraction of the sentence he earned. I am thankful to have this opportunity now to seek justice for myself and for his other victims.”
The Ventura County District Attorney’s office in California. (Ventura County District Attorny’s Office/Facebook)
Brambles faces a maximum sentence of 12 years to life if convicted.
“Without her courage, bravery and resolve to once again face the person who allegedly attacked her, we would not be here today,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said of SW at the press conference. “Despite the passage of time and the long road ahead, SW is committed to seeing Michael Brambles held responsible for these violent accusations from 32 years ago, and so are we.”